New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged rising fiscal stress in some Indian states and called for sharper focus on manufacturing, innovation, and strategic trade positioning while addressing the Times Network India Economic Conclave.

She said that India's growth momentum and global aspirations hinge on disciplined fiscal management, competitive manufacturing, and confident policymaking rooted in domestic priorities.

Sitharaman said, "RBI documents and studies show worrisome debt-to-GDP in some states (unnamed here or in Parliament). Unless managed within FRBM limits and high-interest debt reduced, states borrow to service loans, not development, a poor fiscal play. This threatens the 10-year momentum for Viksit...