Iran war to weigh more on Indian growth than inflation
MUMBAI: The US and Israel’s attack on Iran is expected to weigh more on India’s economic growth than its inflation, which will encourage the Reserve Bank of India to keep interest rates low, three sources familiar with policymakers’ thinking and analysts said. The conflict, which has rippled out across much of the Middle East, has pushed up oil prices by about 15 percent, disrupted gas flows from the region and triggered selloffs in Indian equity, debt and currency markets, with the rupee hitting a record low and bond yields rising due to concerns about India’s current account deficit and the risk of higher inflation. Get the latest news from India and how it matters to the world with the Reuters India File newsletter. Despite a weaker rupee and higher crude prices, the central bank is unlikely to take a hawkish turn, all three sources familiar with policy deliberations said. Current assessments could change, one of the sources cautioned, in case of extreme developments in the Middle East.