India's central bank cut interest rates on Thursday, giving a surprise boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of general elections due this year.
The cut in borrowing costs in Asia's third-biggest economy comes as the economy stutters and other central banks, most notably the Federal Reserve, have sounded increasingly cautious about the global outlook.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the benchmark repo rate — the level at which it lends to commercial banks — would be reduced by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent.
It marked the first interest rate decision under new bank chief Shaktikanta Das, an ally of Modi who was appointed in December after his predecessor, Urjit Patel, quit following a public spat with the administration over alleged government interference.
The government was believed to be unhappy with the RBI over a number of issues, including its apparent reluctance to cut rates to stimulate the economy.
India's finance ministry had reportedly been pressuring the bank to enact policies to help spur growth ahead of the elections due by May, when Modi will run for a second term.
On Wednesday, a key economic advisor to Modi called on the RBI to announce a cut to help boost consumption and investment.
Rajiv Kumar, vice chairman of government think-tank NITI Aayog, said the bank should act to help spur “higher growth rates”.
Modi was swept to power in 2014 on a business-friendly manifesto that promised to shake up India's economy and boost jobs.
He announced a number of high-profile policies, including the introduction of a new single tax on goods and a controversial currency ban.
Modi's election battle
But data have raised questions about how successfully he has delivered on his pledges and polls suggest he faces atough re-election fight.
Statistics showed the economy expanded only 7.1 per cent on-year in July-September, down from 8.2 percent in the previous quarter.
Analysts say India needs to regularly record growth of at least eight percent to generate employment for the millions entering the workforce each year. But a government report leaked last week showed unemployment at a 45-year-high of 6.1 percent in 2017-18.
Thursday's cut, which was the first in 18 months, surprised the majority of analysts who had expected rates to be held.Thirty-two out of 43 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had predicted no change.
Despite the cut the rupee edged up 0.1 percent against the dollar.
The RBI raised rates twice last year over concerns about rising prices but with inflation currently at an 18-month low the bank said it was time to opt for a reduction.
“Headline inflation is projected to remain soft in the near term reflecting the current low level of inflation and the benign food inflation outlook,” the bank said in a statement.
India's retail inflation declined from 3.4 per cent in October 2018 to 2.2 per cent in December, well below the bank's target of four percent.
Central banks around the world have turned more dovish in recent months as they grow concerned about the state of the global economy, the China-US trade war and China's economic malaise.
The Fed has indicated it will slow its pace of rate hikes this year, having raised them four times in 2018, the European Central Bank has indicated that it is not looking to move on rates and the Bank of Japan has again lowered its inflation forecasts.
The Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank of Korea and Bank of Thailand have also tempered their outlooks in recent weeks.
Comments (17) Closed
Somebody is worried about BJPs comeback
The worse thing that can happen to a central bank is losing credibility. Any hint of politicisation can damage its inflation-fighting mandate. Prudent fiscal and monetary policies are the bedrock of investor confidence.
These economic reforms has least impact on upcoming elections, Rural India has largest votebank which doen't depends on economic policies. Job market is 6.1% which is correct figure but its not correct to say that its 45 years high, low inflation and higher GDP is a proofs. but overall, with GDP 7.1% India still maintains fastest growing economy in the world.
Repo rate is decreased due to inflation declined to 2.2%. Government has to chnge the repo acording to that, for the betterment of the economy. You may see the GDP after few months.
Modi is going to win this election
RBI many times reduced , don't link to elections, there is agreement how to maintain inflation and for every thing taking decision many people has to agree.
It is not in the hands of government
@MoMo, yes, honest Indians
Seek advice from Pakistan!
ICB should be independent and political because of election. Shame if you do what Modi wants.
This is to help Modi get re-elected.
No reference to the fact that the inflation was 2.4% and had consistently remained low
@A. RIZVI, Yes and when the headline inflation is lower than 3% is there any grounds for the discount rate to be 6.5%? The inflation repeatedly undershot the Reserve bank predictions for 6 quarters and hence a course correction was overdue
@ahmed, What is ICB? Rates were reduced from 8% in December 2013 to 6% in February 2018. There were no elections then. Then they were raised two times to 6.5% fearing inflation due to rising oil prices. Since inflation came in at a low of 2.2% it made sense to reduce by 0.25% . This has nothing to do with elections.
Already after Modi came to power, there is a huge decrese of housing loans from 10.25 % to now just 8.75%, the rate change will further help millions of mortgage holders to save money. This is very well decision that will boost Indian economy further.
@Shy Guy, Honest who ?Rahul and his cronies ?
@Private trip, Thats correct. Problem is majority of the people do not understand these fiscal parameters. So just link it to politics & elections
Well, inflation as hit a record low of 2%. What should the RBI do ?