Japan, India sign currency swap deal

Japanese PM Yoshihiko Noda (L) and Indian PM Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on December 28, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/218210.html

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has signed a 15-billion-dollar currency swap agreement with India to shore up Indian rupees.

"I am convinced we need to strengthen the economic partnership," Noda said during his visit to New Delhi on Wednesday.

"Japan and India will expand their currency swap from a current USD3 billion to USD15 billion," the Japanese premier announced.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he was "extremely happy" with the outcome of his talks with Noda.

Under the currency swap, Tokyo could lend New Delhi dollars to defend the ailing rupee. The deal is an expansion of a USD3 billion accord that expired earlier this year.

With USD1.2 trillion in foreign currency reserves, Japan has been moving to enhance its global financial role and struck a similar swap deal with South Korea in October.

The currency agreement is an extra weapon for India, which has USD300 billion in reserves, to use for propping up the rupee.

The rupee has slid 15 percent against the dollar this year as overseas investors have withdrawn funds as they hunt for safe havens in the midst of the global financial turmoil.