New Delhi, April 26: Global ratings agency Standard & Poor's on Wednesday revised the outlook on India's long term sovereign rating to 'negative' from 'stable' - a thumbs down that could adversely affect the way foreign investors view India. S&P's decision questions the India story by citing its sliding growth numbers. It also cites the high fiscal deficit, a growing debt burden and the government's inability to push through economic reforms.
The agency clarified that the action was not a downgrade but a revision in the outlook based on the current economic situation. It said India's rating of BBB (minus) is the lowest investment grade rating. S&P's announcement immediately hurt sentiment in the financial markets and tripped shares, the rupee and bonds.
Experts say the revision in the rating outlook will hit investor sentiment, increase overseas borrowing costs for Indian companies and add another element of risk for Asia's third largest economy.
Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee intervened to calm jittery markets, saying the government would overcome the difficult phase. "There is no need for panic. The situation may be difficult, but we will be surely able to overcome," Mukherjee told reporters.
It also comes at a time when growth is slowing, business sentiment is down and the government is battling a string of issues from corruption, questionable laws like retrospective taxation to stinging criticism over stalled reforms.
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