India at USD 1 Trillion: Reasons to Cheer for NRIs

The weakening dollar against the rupee has played a minor role in getting India to the top trillion dollar economies of the world. The rupee has gained steadily against the dollar since 2002, and last week it touched the magic figure of Rs. 41, crossing the Rs. 41.26 figure of 1998.

Rates have come full circle since, from an average of Rs.43.05
in 1999 to Rs.44.94 in 2000, Rs. 47.18 in 2001 and up to Rs.
48.59 in 2002. The downturn started in 2006 when it touched an
average of Rs. 46.58 in 2003, sliding to Rs.45.31 in 2004, Rs.
44.10 in 2005 and dipping to 43.21 in 2006.India’s consistent performance
over these years has enabled it to reach the 12 member trillion
dollar club with a GDP of Rs. 41 trillion. The US leads with
a GDP of USD 13.4 trillion, followed by Japan at USD 4.4 trillion.

The non-resident Indian is perceptibly proud of India’s achievement,
and foresees good returns on his investments. But, is he happy
about the extra dollars he has to dole out for purchases in India?

For the property that he wants to purchase in India, for the
goodies that he wants to take back from India, and for his expenses
during his visit to India – these would have him digging deeper into his pockets.

However, with the Indian stock market at a strategic USD 944
billion, and ready to leap to the trillion dollar mark, NRI investors
dabbling in Indian stocks could well gain from the twin advantage
of exchange rates and dividends.
NRIs engaged in trade would benefit from exports to India, as
demand will, in all probability, increase as Indian importers
find the dollar more affordable.

The accelerated economy is,
in any case, fertile ground for higher requirement for capital
goods and niche products. Heavy equipment and consumables will
see a rise in demand as the Indian importer has to shell out
fewer rupees to the dollar.

And what does it spell for resident Indians? With mega acquisitions
the flavour of the season, Indian corporates looking to take
over overseas companies will be spending considerably less on
the deals.

Moreover, with the Indian government’s decision to allow Indians to invest upto USD 100,000 overseas, Indians can dabble in more foreign stocks than before.

Visits abroad could see a slight jump too, as the rupee can stretch a little further.

Even purchasing property abroad will be easier on the Indian’s pocket, given the Indian government’s relaxed laws.

And, as for India’s foreign exchange drainers, crude oil and gold, the country will pay less than before. Gold would be cheaper in India, as compared to the US, so NRIs would, in all likelihood, make their jewellery purchases from India.

The NRI community achieved its own moment of glory by holding
total assets of a trillion plus dollars last week – reason enough for resident and non-resident Indians to cheer!