How Did India’s Forex Reserves Surge by $4.69 Billion?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India's forex reserves increased by $4.69 billion.
- Current reserves stand at $702.9 billion.
- Less than $2 billion away from an all-time high.
- Foreign currency assets rose to $587.04 billion.
- Gold reserves climbed to $92.42 billion.
New Delhi, Sep 19 (NationPress) India’s foreign exchange reserves saw an increase of $4.69 billion, reaching a total of $702.9 billion for the week ending September 12, as per the latest figures from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released on Friday.
This uptick brings the reserves tantalizingly close to their historic peak of $704.9 billion, which was achieved in late September 2024, with less than $2 billion separating them from this milestone.
The recent data from the RBI revealed that foreign currency assets, which constitute the largest segment of the reserves, rose by $2.5 billion to $587.04 billion.
These assets include key international currencies like the euro, pound, and yen, with their dollar valuation influenced by fluctuations in exchange rates.
This week, gold reserves contributed significantly, climbing by $2.1 billion to a total of $92.42 billion.
Additionally, the special drawing rights (SDRs) saw a modest increase of $32 million, reaching $18.73 billion, while India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rose by $9 million to $4.76 billion.
Forex reserves serve as a vital financial cushion for the nation, enabling the RBI to intervene in the currency market when necessary to mitigate rupee volatility.
The central bank clarifies that these interventions aim not to fix the exchange rate at a specific level but to ensure stability during periods of global uncertainty.
Reserves have consistently increased in recent weeks, surpassing the $698 billion mark in the week ending September 5, following a $4.03 billion rise, and a previous increase of $3.51 billion.
In the prior week, the RBI’s figures indicated that foreign currency assets (FCAs), the predominant component of the reserves, grew by $540 million to $584.47 billion.
Experts believe that this robust buffer, nearing record highs, will enable India to withstand external disruptions, bolster the rupee, and instill confidence among global investors, particularly amidst volatile global economic conditions.