India, Sept. 3 -- Taking the battle to US President Donald Trump on the tariff issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the Indian economy grew 7.8 per cent in the first quarter despite "challenges from economic selfishness." This veiled jibe was also in reference to Trump's 'dead economy' remark about India.

Making this assertion, Modi also said the country's economic performance came amidst global uncertainties and "aarthik swarth se paida hue chunautiya hai" (challenges stemming from economic self-interest). "Once again, India has outperformed every expectation, every estimate, and every forecast," he said.

Modi's barb came a day after he returned to Delhi following the China visit, where he, along with Russian Presid...