Moody's to Modi: Rein in members or risk losing credibility

Against the backdrop of controversies like the beef one, Moody’s Analytics on Friday cautioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the country might lose domestic and global credibility if he did not rein in the members of his party.

In a report titled India Outlook: Searching for Potential, Moody’s said for the country to reach its growth potential it needed to deliver the promised reforms. 

“Undoubtedly, numerous political outcomes will dictate the extent of success,” it said. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha and crucial reform Bills have been met with an obstructionist opposition. “But in recent times, the government also hasn’t helped itself, with controversial comments from various BJP members.”

While Modi has largely distanced himself from the nationalist gibes, the belligerent provocation of various Indian minorities has raised ethnic tensions.

“Along with a possible increase in violence, the government will face stiffer opposition in the Upper House as debate turns away from economic policy. Modi must keep his members in check or risk losing domestic and global credibility,” Moody’s said.
 

 

It projected that India’s economic growth for the September quarter at 7.3 per cent, while that for the full financial year was estimated to be 7.6 per cent.

“Key economic reforms could deliver greater potential GDP (gross domestic product), as they would improve India’s productive capacity. These include the land acquisition Bill, a national goods and service tax, and revamped labour laws. They are unlikely to pass through Parliament in 2015, but there is an even chance of success in 2016,” Moody’s said.

As regards interest rates, it said low rates would buttress the economy in the short term but reforms were needed to reach long-term potential growth.

The Reserve Bank kick-started the recovery by cutting the repo rate by 1.25 per cent this year. It said positive signs were emerging with State Bank of India, the nation’s largest bank, cutting its base lending rate earlier this month.

“Capacity utilisation has been low across industries this year. The capital expenditure pipeline is running dry. However, interest rate cuts should encourage investment, as will the softer inflation profile,” it added.