Mumbai, October 14: India is making a mark in the global economy and the world is acknowledging it. India's economic prowess has been identified by International Monetary Fund (IMF), which termed India a bright star. Amid the recession, India's elevation to the world's fifth-largest economy overtaking the United Kingdom grabbed everyone's attention. India is on its way to becoming a global leader and there is no doubt about it.

However, western media is still not able to erase their image of India as a land of snake charmers and its colonial past. A Spanish newspaper found itself in the centre of controversy by painting India's economic power using a rather racist stereotype. La Vanguardia, a Spanish daily, issued a story 'La hora de la economia india', or 'The hour of the Indian economy on its front page. And, the caricature they used to portray the economic growth of India was a snake charmer. IMF MD Kristalina Georgieva Hails India's Economic Growth, Says 'Country A Bright Spot On This Dark Horizon' (Watch Video).

As soon as the photo on the daily's front page went viral, the netizens started critising the shallow mindset of the west. Some users pointed out that using a "snake charmer" image is a racial stereotype and an insult to India. World Bank Downgrades India’s Economic Growth Forecast to 6.5 Per Cent for Fiscal Year 2022–23.

Spanish Daily Receives Flake Online:

Decolonising Foreign Mindset Is Complex Endeavour, Says MP PC Mohan:

Spain Newspaper Slammed:

Meanwhile, Spain lacks much behind India in terms of economic growth and GDP. Spain is currently the world's 15th largest economy with a GDP of around $2 trillion while India is the world's fifth largest economy with a GDP of around $3.5 trillion.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 14, 2022 02:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).