New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her Union Budget speech on Sunday that the government would maintain its reform momentum to support India's economic ascent to a developed nation.

Sitharaman told Parliament that India would continue to take confident steps towards Vikasit Bharat, balancing ambition with inclusion. As a growing economy with expanding trade and capital needs, India must also remain deeply integrated with global markets, exporting more and attracting more stable long-term investment. "Our aim is to transform aspiration into achievement and potential into performance," the minister said.

She added that the government has pursued far-reaching fiscal reforms and fiscal stability, and that its f...