India on marathon path; markets don't need steroids: Uday Kotak

Confident that India is on a 'marathon' growth path, eminent banker Uday Kotak has said that the markets should not look for any 'steroids' even as he warned against excessive debt exposure of the corporates.

Kotak also said that it has been an "euphoric phase" since the Narendra Modi-led NDA government came into power a year ago, while there is perception emerging now that expectations were ahead of reality.

"This perception stems from excessive exuberance, which needs to be moderated. However, in reality, I am confident that growth will be steady, stable and upwards.

"I am convinced that the India Marathon story is already playing out. The watchers of the Indian economy as well as the markets should not look for steroids," the Kotak Mahindra bank chief said.

Kotak also said that one of the biggest challenges today was the history of excessive leverage by India Inc.

"This has slowed down parts of the Indian banking system. As these events unfold and unravel, I sincerely hope that it does not create any accidents and challenge the capacity of the financial system in supporting the growth of the Indian economy," Kotak said in his annual letter to the shareholders of Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Elaborating on his views about the first year of the Modi government, Kotak said, "While the euphoria may have faded, the country has made progress. India's macroeconomic signals have become stronger and stable. Crucial parameters such as current account deficit, fiscal deficit and levels of inflation have improved."

Listing out the possible challenges for the India growth story, Kotak said, "It is unlikely to be a great snapshot, but certainly will make for a wonderful movie.

"India is poised to witness stable and sustainable growth in the long term."

On banking sector, Kotak said that public sector banks currently account for about 70 per cent of the savings and deposits, while private sector banks account for the rest.

"With new issues challenging the banking system, it is time for us to ponder how we structure the future of Indian banking. I believe that over the next 10 years the ratio will be equitable between public and private sector banks."

Kotak said this presents "significant challenges and opportunities" for Kotak group and it needs to "build an institution that has the capacity to defy gravity" and create a 'Bigger, Bolder, Better Kotak'.

He said that the group has already taken steps in that direction, including with the mega merger of ING Vysya Bank with Kotak Mahindra Bank that has created a combined entity with total employee base of over 40,000 and the combined consolidated balance sheet of around Rs 2 lakh crore.