China, India Growth Hit as UN Cuts Asia Economic Growth Over Iran War

21/04/2026

China, India Growth Hit as UN Cuts Asia Economic Growth Over Iran War

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 21: The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific has lowered its economic growth forecasts for Asia, warning that the ongoing Iran war and rising energy prices are weighing on major economies including China and India.

Senior economist Hamza Malik said China, which recorded 5% growth in 2025, is now expected to expand by between 4.3% and 4.6% this year, largely due to higher oil costs. India’s growth, which exceeded 7% last year, is projected to slow to around 6% as rising prices for fuel and fertilizers hit the economy.

“Asia-Pacific remains the engine of global economic growth,” Malik said at a briefing in New York, warning that economic shifts in the region will have far-reaching global consequences.