Why in News? On 6 June 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) to discuss measures for sustaining India's economic growth amid global uncertainties.

FOCUS OF THE MEETING

  • Sustaining high economic growth.
  • Attracting foreign capital.
  • Strengthening structural reforms.
  • Assessing risks from the West Asia conflict.
  • Addressing challenges posed by El Niño.
  • Improving Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Ease of Living.

WHAT IS EAC-PM

  • The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) is an independent advisory body that provides economic advice to the Prime Minister on key policy issues.
Nature of EAC-PM
  • Non-Constitutional Body
  • Non-Statutory Body
  • Non-Permanent Body
  • Constituted through an Executive Order
Present Chairman
  • Mahendra Dev
FUNCTIONS The Council performs the following functions: Economic Policy Advice
  • Advises the Prime Minister on economic matters.
  • Suggests policy interventions.
Macroeconomic Assessment
  • Reviews growth trends.
  • Assesses inflation, investment and employment conditions.
Risk Evaluation
  • Studies domestic and global economic risks.
  • Suggests mitigation measures.
Reform Recommendations
  • Recommends reforms for sustainable and inclusive growth.
Development Planning
  • Provides inputs regarding long-term development priorities.

MAJOR ISSUES DISCUSSED

1. Sustaining India's Growth Momentum The Council emphasized maintaining India's growth trajectory despite global challenges. Areas of Focus
  • Economic Transformation
  • Structural Reforms
  • Investment-led Growth
  • Macroeconomic Stability
  • Ease of Doing Business
  • Ease of Living
Objective
  • To ensure that India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies despite global uncertainty.
2. Measures to Boost Foreign Capital Inflows
  • The government announced several measures to attract foreign investment into India.
Tax Relief for Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) Removal of Short-Term Capital Gains Tax (STCG)
  • No STCG tax on investments in Government Securities.
Removal of Long-Term Capital Gains Tax (LTCG)
  • LTCG tax also removed on such investments.
Removal of Withholding Tax
  • Interest income from Government Securities exempted from withholding tax.
Expected Benefits
  • Greater investor confidence.
  • Higher foreign investment.
  • Improved market liquidity.
  • Lower borrowing costs.
3. RBI Measures to Support Capital Inflows
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced complementary measures.
Easier Foreign Currency Deposits
  • Relaxation of norms for mobilising foreign currency deposits.
Revival of FCNR(B) Scheme
  • FCNR(B) = Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) Deposit Scheme
Under this scheme:
  • NRIs can maintain foreign currency deposits.
  • RBI bears exchange-rate hedging costs.
Forex Swap Facility for PSUs Provided temporary concessional forex swap facility for:
  • Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
  • Raising External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs)
Potential Foreign Capital Inflows Estimated Inflows
  • The combined impact of government and RBI measures may attract Nearly $70 Billion of foreign capital inflows.

ROLE OF GLOBAL BOND INDICES

Why Bond Index Inclusion Matters? When a country is included in major bond indices:
  • Global funds automatically invest.
  • Demand for government bonds increases.
  • Bond yields fall.
  • Borrowing costs decline.

INDIA’S RECENT INCLUSION IN GLOBAL BOND INDICES

Bond Index Inclusion Date
JPMorgan Emerging Market Bond Index June 2024
Bloomberg Emerging Market Local Currency Index January 2025
FTSE Russell Emerging Market Bond Index September 2025

BLOOMBERG GLOBAL AGGREGATE BOND INDEX

Significance India's inclusion could bring:
  • $20–25 Billion additional inflows.
  • Greater demand for Government Securities.
  • Lower borrowing costs.
  • Deeper integration with global financial markets.

ASSESSMENT OF GLOBAL RISKS

1. West Asia Conflict The Council reviewed the implications of the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Key Concerns
  • Energy security.
  • Crude oil prices.
  • Global trade routes.
  • Financial market stability.
Assessment
  • No major immediate threat was identified, but developments continue to be monitored.
2. El Niño and Monsoon Risks

Why Important?

  • El Niño can weaken India's monsoon.
Possible Impact
  • Lower agricultural output.
  • Reduced rural incomes.
  • Food inflation.
  • Slower economic growth.