Indian Economy Remains Resilient Amid Steady Domestic Demand, Says RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra

Indian economy resilient despite ongoing global headwinds, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Wednesday, adding that high-frequency indicators for Q1 FY27 point towards steady domestic demand and continued economic momentum.

Indian Economy Remains Resilient Amid Steady Domestic Demand

Private consumption remained robust. Investment continues to be resilient, as suggested by various indicators related to construction, capital goods and bank credit, he said while delivering his address after the three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.

Private Consumption and Investment Continue to Support Growth

“External demand also sustained, as healthy expansion in services exports was complemented by a rebound in merchandise exports,” the RBI Governor maintained.

He said that looking ahead, the turbulent global economic environment is likely to have some bearing on domestic economic activity.

RBI Flags Global Risks, Inflation and Monsoon Challenges

“Energy prices and supply chain pressures remain elevated and uncertain. The adverse impact is being contained with various supply side measures. Even though the situation is still evolving, deficient and uneven south-west monsoon amidst El Nino conditions pose some risks to athe agriculture sector’s outlook and rural demand,” said Malhotra.

Nevertheless, government initiatives pertaining to crop diversification including short duration as well as climate-resilient crops, and water harvesting and conservation, among others, are expected to mitigate the impact, he informed.

Services, Infrastructure and Trade Agreements Boost Outlook

Furthermore, sustained momentum in services, continuing impact of GST rationalisation, and broadly stable employment conditions should continue to support urban demand.

“Strong capacity utilisation, robust credit flow and the government’s continued thrust on infrastructure is expected to sustain investment activity. While services exports are expected to sustain, merchandise exports will be supported by the recent trade agreements and thrust on diversification,” Malhotra noted.

RBI Signals Wait-and-Watch Approach on Interest Rates

Growth continues to be supported by resilient domestic demand, sustained expansion in manufacturing and services activity, and robust exports, reaffirming India’s position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

“There is a need for greater clarity to emerge, especially regarding inflation, its path and composition before taking any policy action. Any such action would also have to consider the need for recalibration of policy rates in line with the evolving growth-inflation dynamics, especially the normalisation of the underlying inflation from its benign levels seen hitherto,” he explained.

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