Rajan's exit: Rating action to depend on policies, not personalities, says Fitch

The rating agency said that the new RBI chief would inherit a good opportunity to continue pursuing a policy of relatively low consumer price inflation

Fitch Ratings said India's sovereign ratings will not be affected solely by the unexpected departure of central bank governor Raghuram Rajan at the end of his term in September, adding the country's policies would be the main driver.

Fitch also said the new Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor would inherit a good opportunity to continue pursuing a policy of relatively low consumer price inflation and of strengthening banks' balance sheets.

"From a rating perspective, policies are more important than personalities," Fitch said in a statement on Monday.

"The problems associated with both high inflation and weak bank balance sheets have been recognized, and policy makers are doing something about it," Fitch added.

"Such institutionalization implies support for these policies beyond the governor, also among government officials and broader within the RBI.

Fitch has a "BBB-minus" rating with a "stable" outlook for India.

The statement comes after Rajan stunned government officials and colleagues on Saturday by announcing he would step down after just one three-year term ending on September 4.