India's Forex Reserves Plunge $9.9 Billion, Hitting 14-Month Low
Overview
India's foreign exchange reserves saw their steepest weekly decline in 14 months, dropping by $9.9 billion to $552 billion as of January 2. The Reserve Bank of India intervened by selling dollars to defend a weakening rupee, which depreciated 0.4% amid foreign fund outflows and stalled trade talks with the U.S.
India's foreign exchange reserves experienced their sharpest weekly contraction in over a year, falling by $9.9 billion to $552 billion in the week ended January 2. The Reserve Bank of India's significant dollar sales were aimed at stabilizing the national currency.
The rupee weakened by 0.4% against the U.S. dollar during the same period. This depreciation was attributed to considerable foreign fund outflows from domestic markets and ongoing delays in a key trade negotiation between India and the United States.
RBI Intervention Fuels Reserve Drawdown
Analysts pointed to the central bank's direct intervention as the primary driver behind the reserves' steep decline. Gaura Sen Gupta from IDFC First Bank stated the fall was "mostly on account of dollar selling by the Reserve Bank of India."
The drawdown underscores the pressure on the rupee stemming from global economic shifts and local market dynamics. The central bank's move reflects a commitment to maintaining currency stability amidst external volatility.
External Factors Compound Pressure
Beyond direct intervention, currency analysts noted that revaluation effects also contributed to the decrease in reserves. Rising U.S. Treasury yields and a strengthening dollar globally, which makes rupee-denominated assets less attractive, played a role.
The confluence of foreign outflows, trade deal uncertainties, and an appreciating dollar created a challenging environment for the rupee, necessitating substantial support from the RBI's reserves.
