Is India’s Growth Truly Phenomenal with Over 8 Percent Projections?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India projected to exceed 8 percent growth.
- Effective inflation management reduced it to 1.5 percent.
- Fiscal deficit is manageable at 4.4 percent of GDP.
- Strong coordination between government and fiscal committee.
- Indian rupee remains stable amidst global currency fluctuations.
Washington, Oct 15 (NationPress) India has achieved remarkable growth with projections exceeding 8 percent over the past year, despite facing significant global uncertainties, stated RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra during the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) annual meeting on Wednesday.
In his remarks, the RBI Governor emphasized that India primarily operates as a domestic-driven economy and acknowledged that while tariffs can have a negative effect, they are not a major concern.
He referenced the US tariff turmoil, which has unsettled global trade and hindered growth in several other economies.
“We are navigating through unprecedented uncertainties due to various factors, including policy ambiguities. This poses challenges for the growth of emerging market economies, a risk that all must consider,” the RBI Governor remarked.
Highlighting the strong fundamentals underpinning the Indian economy, Malhotra noted, “India has rebounded from the impacts of Covid and the Russia-Ukraine war. We have effectively managed inflation, bringing it down from 8 percent to 1.5 percent, the lowest in eight years, even as inflationary pressures have reduced from the peaks of 2022. Oil prices have also cooled,” he mentioned.
Furthermore, the RBI chief indicated that India’s fiscal deficit is now at a controllable level, projected to be 4.4 percent of GDP for the Central Government. He pointed out that the country’s total debt ranks among the lowest worldwide.
This achievement has been supported by effective coordination between the government and the fiscal committee, he added.
Malhotra also noted that although the dollar has depreciated by 10 percent, the Indian rupee has not experienced such a decline this year, unlike most other currencies. “This is attributed to elevated tariffs and capital outflows. Maintaining an orderly movement of the rupee is a priority for India,” he remarked.
He concluded by stating that the capital markets in India are quite deep and resilient.