No change in policy to control capital flows: Montek


Seoul: Planning Commission of India feels there is no need at present to change policy in India to control capital flows. Montek Singh Ahluwalia says that, there is no need for India to introduce capital controls on portfolio flows and foreign direct investment levels are not so volatile. The decision by U.S. Federal Reserve to buy $600 billion in government bonds by June 2011will hike the flow of money to the emerging markets like India, South Korea and Brazil. It is perceived that this move by U.S. Federal Reserve could lead to a debate which would have negative repercussions at the G-20 summit in Seoul. Emerging countries are willing to retaliate and this would put the outcome of currency and global imbalance at stake. "I personally do not think there is any need to alter the present policy for foreign direct investment because I think that's not a very volatile thing, and if we get more of it within the realm of possibility then it's excellent," said Ahluwalia. "I also do not think at the present moment there is any need to introduce any capital controls on portfolio flows. We have capital controls on debt and I do not think we should relax those too readily. But yes those are things that you look at on a month by month basis," added Ahluwalia.