Cabinet nod to India-Japan $75-bn swap arrangement to curb currency volatility

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This facility will enable the agreed amount of capital being available to India on tap for use.

The Union Cabinet Thursday approved a proposal for a $75-billion bilateral swap arrangement between India and Japan, a move aimed at enhancing the RBI’s ability to manage exchange rate volatility.

In a release, the government said the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for entering into an agreement for the bilateral swap arrangement (BSA) between India and Japan.

The arrangement authorises the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to sign the agreement for bilateral swap arrangement between the RBI and the Bank of Japan for a maximum amount of $75 billion.

On benefits of the arrangement, it said the BSA is a good example of mutual cooperation between India and Japan for strategic objective of assisting each other in times of difficulty and for restoring international confidence.

This facility will enable the agreed amount of capital being available to India on tap for use.

Also, with this arrangement in place, prospects of Indian companies would improve in tapping foreign capital as there would be greater confidence in stability of country’s exchange rate.

“Availability of such swap line to tide over difficulties arising out of balance of payment (BOP) would deter speculative attacks on the domestic currency and greatly enhance the RBI’s ability to manage exchange rate volatility,” the release said.

The arrangement, it added, is “another milestone” in mutual economic cooperation and special strategic and global partnership between India and Japan.