Context: Why This Matters

The RBI is a creation of Parliament, and any surplus it returns must be used with intention and integrity. According to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, the Republic must secure Justice – social, economic, and political – and the Dignity of the Individual.

In that spirit, the dividend must be:

– Used only for economic purposes.

– Kept out of the general expenditure budget.

– Focused on sustainability, corrections, and corrective actions.

The central idea:

Empower India’s economy from within, reduce external dependency, and honour India’s savings and institutions.

Key Proposals at a Glance

Capitalising Indian Financial Institutions:

– Capitalise 100% Central Government-owned financial institutions through Equity Shares, Preference Shares, and Long-Term Bonds.

– Recognise these as Sovereign Special Purpose Vehicles with clearly defined mandates.

Reaffirming Sovereignty in Currency and Borrowing:

– Clearly declare a list of institutions under Central Government ownership with RBI concurrence.

– Mobilise internal savings and eliminate dependence on foreign currency sovereign loans.

Five National Resolutions

Resolution 1: No More Sovereign Borrowing in Foreign Currency

India need not borrow externally. The Indian Rupee, powered by domestic savings and institutional integrity, can support all State functions and capital investments.

Resolution 2: Prepayment of Multilateral Borrowings

India should repay existing multilateral loans – ahead of schedule, by November 2026.

Outcome:

– Exit future borrowing from the World Bank, ADB, etc.

– Let RBI make rupee provisions and allow specialised institutions to finance Indian projects in Indian currency.

Resolution 3: A Strategic Investment Framework

– Let Indian banks and financial institutions invest part of their financial assets in global securities.

– Propose:

– SLR to 22%

– 6% to be invested in Multilateral Agency Bonds (in collaboration with RBI and the Ministry of Economic Affairs).

Resolution 4: Capital Account Convertibility for National Entities

– Expand Current Account transactions in all currencies.

– Empower public banks and Indian financial entities to handle capital account convertibility under government guidance.

Resolution 5: A Financial Services SEZ Cluster

– Establish a Special Economic Financial Cluster under RBI & SEZ Acts.

– Locations: Ladakh, Goa, Tiruchirappalli, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Mangalore, Chandigarh.

– Impose strict capital convertibility regulations to protect Indian interests.

India’s Debt Position (Estimated)

As of March 2025: ₹181.74 lakh crore

As of March 2026: ₹196.78 lakh crore

Message: India must handle its finances internally. It can. It should.

As of April 4, 2025:

Foreign Exchange & Reserve Strategy

– Forex Reserves: $676 billion

– External Sovereign Debt: ~₹6.18 lakh crore

Proposed:

– Prepay all external borrowings.

– Start purchasing World Bank or equivalent securities with our reserves.

– Convert RBI’s holdings of US Treasuries into development securities.

– Avoid complex FX hedging by focusing on early repayments and rupee-based asset management.

Regulatory Actions: CRR and SLR

– CRR Reduction: Reduce to 3%.

– SLR Increase: Raise to 22% to absorb and reallocate surplus liquidity meaningfully.

Strategic and Policy Coordination

To succeed:

– Ministry of Economic Affairs and RBI must stay in sync.

– Public messaging from key offices (PMO, Cabinet Secretariat, DEA) must be clear and consistent.

– Parliamentary approval and transparent debates may be required for legitimacy.

Capital Account Convertibility – India’s Next Step

This plan is a measured path toward Capital Account Convertibility, echoing the vision of:

– Dr. Manmohan Singh

– Dr. C. Rangarajan

– Dr. Bimal Jalan

– Dr. Y.V. Reddy

– Dr. Subbarao

– Dr. Raghuram Rajan

This also gives partial implementation to the Tarapore Committee Reports I & II.

Conclusion: Towards a Sovereign Economic Future

India does not need to chase global credit ratings when it does not borrow externally.

The world needs India as a banker to the world, not merely a borrower.

This is the moment. Let the Rupee rise. Let India lead.

References

1. Tarapore Committee Report I & II

2. Budget Papers – https://budget.nic.in

3. RBI Bulletins and Publications by Former Governors

4. Contemporary Financial News and Anal

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The above suggestions were sent to the RBI and various other dignitaries on 2nd June 2025

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