Mumbai

INDIA's hard-won fiscal improvements could fail to withstand an external shock, rating agency Standard and Poor's warned on Monday, given "less than rock solid" public finances that remain a concern for its sovereign rating profile. "While the country's budgetary performances have strengthened in recent years, its hard-won fiscal improvements could yet unwind because of a financial or commodity shock", the rating agency said in a report, citing the need to pay out costly subsidies and interest on government debt.

The rating agency lauded India's efforts to increase capital expenditure by more than 25 per cent in 2015/16, versus an average rise of 5.4 per cent since 2011/12. But it expressed concern that the spending plan could also be hit if India failed to raise the amount targeted from the sale of stakes in state-run firms. "Particularly if divestment targets are also not met, the government could find it necessary to cut capital spending again to meet its deficit target," S&P said.