India’s central bank holds rates as Iran war upends economic outlook


April 8 (Reuters) – The Reserve Bank of India kept its key policy rate unchangedon ‌Wednesday as it awaits clearer evidence ‌of the impact from the Iran war on the South ​Asian nation’s economy.

COMMENTARY:

VIKRAM CHABBRA, SENIOR ECONOMIST, 360 ONE ASSET, MUMBAI

“The economic outlook remains clouded by uncertainty.”

“The two‑week ceasefire in West Asia has eased tensions ‌for now, but ⁠inflation and growth risks continue to loom over the economy. El Niño ⁠adds to the pressure, threatening a weak monsoon and higher food prices.”

“With war and weather ​unresolved, the ​RBI is likely to ​stay on pause ‌until a clearer picture emerges.” UPASNA BHARDWAJ, CHIEF ECONOMIST, KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK, MUMBAI”RBI expectedly kept rates and stance unchanged.”

“After the circulars on restricting offshore speculative activity, the recent de-escalation on the ‌geopolitical front has provided some ​relief to the Indian rupee, ​providing room ​for RBI to assess the lasting ‌impact on growth (and) inflation.”

“We expect ​RBI to ​be squarely data dependent henceforth given the fluidity of the situation. Meanwhile, we expect ​RBI to ‌monitor liquidity conditions closely.”

(Reporting by Urvi Dugar; ​Compiled by Dhanya Skariachan; Editing by Ronojoy ​Mazumdar and Eileen Soreng)



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