Merakyat.org – In a significant move for the global financial landscape, JPMorgan has announced the inclusion of India in its renowned emerging market debt index. This pivotal decision paves the way for a potential influx of billions of dollars into India, the world’s fifth-largest economy. Such an inflow is anticipated to bolster India’s efforts in financing its current account and fiscal deficits.
The inclusion will see India’s local bonds being integrated into the Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) index. This index, along with its suite, is currently benchmarked by a staggering $236 billion in global funds. This monumental decision underscores India’s position as one of the rapidly growing major economies on the global stage. The nation has been ardently working towards enhancing its stature in international financial markets.
JPMorgan’s announcement highlighted that 23 Indian Government Bonds (IGBs), boasting a combined notional value of $330 billion, are eligible for inclusion. These bonds are all categorized under the “fully accessible route” for non-residents. Projections indicate that India’s weight could potentially reach the maximum weight threshold of 10% in the GBI-EM Global Diversified index and approximately 8.7% in the GBI-EM Global index.
The financial community responded positively to this development. India’s chief economic adviser, V. Anantha Nageswaran, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that this move is a testament to the confidence that the global financial market holds in India’s growth potential and its robust macroeconomic and fiscal policies.
The process of inclusion is set to commence on June 28, 2024, and will span over a period of 10 months. During this period, there will be 1% increments in its index weighting. India is projected to achieve the maximum weighting of 10%, as per JPMorgan’s statement.
Madhavi Arora, the lead economist at Emkay Global Financial Services, opined that beyond the immediate excitement, this inclusion would structurally benefit rates and FX markets. This could lead to a reduction in borrowing costs for the broader economy and promote more responsible fiscal policy-making.
However, it’s essential to note that India’s inclusion might lead to outflows from other countries. Countries like Thailand, South Africa, Poland, Czech Republic, and Brazil might witness a reduction in their weightings for domestic government bonds.
India’s journey to this significant milestone began in 2019 when it initiated discussions about incorporating its debt into global indexes. The nation also engaged in talks with Euroclear regarding clearing and settlement. In 2020, India lifted foreign investment restrictions on certain government securities, aiming to join global bond indexes. Some of these bonds are now part of the “Fully Accessible Route,” devoid of any foreign investment constraints.
This development marks a transformative phase for India in the global financial arena, promising a brighter economic future for the nation.
