“The MPC’s assessment and the final decisions were all on expected lines. There is no surprise in terms of their assessment or the final action, so that is the first thing. What further information that we can derive out of MPC is the projection, so their forecast both on GDP and inflation—that is where the likely discussion is going to be among people in all the stakeholders, how to assimilate those changes vis-à-vis the earlier forecast. That is what a quick reaction that much,” Gandhi said.
The Monetary Policy Report (MPR) revealed an upward revision in crude oil price assumptions, from $75 to $85 per barrel, reflecting heightened uncertainty from the West Asia crisis. On navigating policy in such scenarios, Gandhi noted the RBI’s comprehensive approach.
“Obviously, the central banks having access to various data points. Their model is much-much larger in terms of parameters that are being watched and fed into the model. Whereas just now, as I mentioned, the analysts who have their own model, they will have a very quick assessment kind of. Because obviously being part of the policymaking hierarchy, they get access to all such parameters, that is one. And two, their research team is also very-very focused, longstanding, credentials in terms of expertise built over the period, so that way their assessment will always be more sanguine in terms of not volatility or their intention to keep the assessment slow, that is not the intention, that model itself brings out that kind of stability. So that is one point.”
Gandhi emphasized that markets need to assess their own stance based on their risk appetite but should remain mindful of the RBI’s proactive posture.
“So, what you are asking is that based on this, what the market should think about, how to reassess their own stance, their own actions based on this assessment, that is of course depending upon each entity’s risk appetite and risk-taking capacity—they may have a different view on that. But one thing what everyone should be clearly keeping in mind is that anything going to extreme, the pulse maker will always come in the way. Just as we have seen in the last two weeks when the rupee was quite volatile, and to bring in a sense of sanity, the Reserve Bank had to use certain tools which are harsh in normal course. Obviously, sometime when the restoration takes place, they will definitely be revisiting that and drawing those tools in operation. That is par for course that way. So that way, market should take cue from the strong message MPC and Governor Reserve Bank is telling—that we are watchful, we will be proactive, and we will be pre-emptive also. So, those are the three things always remember.”
Analysts see the RBI’s current stance as a stabilizing force for markets, signaling that while global shocks may persist, the central bank is prepared to act decisively to mitigate volatility and maintain economic equilibrium.
