New Delhi, Jun 12 (PTI) With Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran citing the IMF forecast that the Indian economy would cross USD 5 trillion by 2026-27, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said the goal of a USD 5 trillion GDP appears to be a case of "shifting goalposts" as the original target year was 2023-24.

Speaking at the finance ministry's iconic week celebrations of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', Nageswaran had said last week that IMF has forecast the Indian economy to cross USD 5 trillion by 2026-27. India's Gross domestic product (GDP) in dollar terms has already crossed USD 3 trillion.

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Reacting to the remarks, Chidambaram said the "goal of a USD 5 trillion GDP appears to be a case of 'shifting goalposts'".

The original target year was 2023-24, the former finance minister said, adding that, "We are nowhere near that goalpost."

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"Now, the Chief Economic Adviser has said we will achieve the goal 'by 2027'," he said.

"I think each one of the key players has a different goalpost: PM, FM, FS and CEA. Whenever the Economy reaches the milestone, one can say 'We told you so'!" Chidambaram said.

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