An optimist Indian economy

Economy to grow by around 7 pc in FY'09, hopes Indian FM
Replying to a question on economic growth during an interview, Mukherjee said, "All these are estimates and of course between 6.9 and 7.1 (there is) not much difference, but I do hope when the final figures come out it would be around seven per cent."

I am just wondering what could be the reason behind the overly optimistic predictions bythe Indian political regime. When the Obama administration is trying to be more transparent and asking american people to be ready for tougher times, why is the Indian economy giving overly optimistic predictions to their own people? After all it is a global recession.

Is it because of the upcoming elections? May be.
I would like to think that there is no political agenda but logic behind this optimism. In order to build more confidence in the economy the leaders have to be optimistic (that may mean overly optimistic also). Once the confidence of the consumer increases in the economy, the demand will rise and subsequently the supply too will increase.

This may not be as simple as I am trying make it sound- In such a recession you fix the demand because the supply will obviously follow (Speaking like a true keynesian). To fix the demand you need to lift the consumer confidence, which can be also be improved by such statements by the political leaders.