Forex reserves

02 Mar 2024 1 mins Download PDF

Context: Recently, Forex reserves jumped $2.816 billion to $606.859 billion.

About forex reserves

• Foreign Exchange Reserves refer to assets kept in reserve by a central bank, comprising foreign currencies such as bonds, treasury bills, and government securities.
• These reserves, expressed in the US dollar, the international standard, are managed by the RBI, serving as the custodian of India's Foreign Exchange Reserves.
• It includes:
  • Foreign Currency Assets (FCA)
  • Gold reserves,
  • Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)
  • Reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Significance

• They are utilized to support liabilities denominated in their own issued currency, maintain the exchange rate, and formulate monetary policy.
• They act as a safeguard in case of an economic Balance of Payment (BoP) crisis. The purpose is to ensure that the RBI has reserve funds in case the national currency experiences a rapid devaluation or faces insolvency.
• If the Rupee depreciates due to increased demand for foreign currency, the RBI intervenes by selling dollars in the Indian money market to curb the depreciation.
• Reserves instill confidence in markets and investors regarding a country's ability to meet external obligations.
• A robust forex reserve is instrumental in attracting foreign trade and building a positive reputation with trading partners.