My Short Answer is NO! Not In the near future in next 10 years. The US dollar has long been the dominant currency in international trade and finance. It is the primary reserve currency held by central banks and the most widely used currency in global transactions. However, recently, some analysts and news media such as ZEENEWS, TIMESOFINDIA, FIRSTPOST and many others have suggested that the Indian rupee may have the potential to replace the dollar as an international currency.
There are several factors that determine a currency’s status as an international currency. The key factors include:
- Economic Size and Stability: The size and stability of an economy are critical factors in determining the international acceptance of a currency. A large, stable economy is more likely to have a widely accepted currency.
- Foreign Exchange Reserves: The amount of a currency held by foreign central banks is a crucial factor in determining its status as an international currency. Countries with higher foreign exchange reserves are more likely to have their currency widely used in international transactions.
- Inflation Rate: High inflation rates can erode the value of a currency, making it less attractive as an international currency.
- Capital Account Convertibility: The ability to freely convert a currency into other currencies is an essential factor in determining its status as an international currency.
- Geopolitical Factors: Political stability, international relations, and the role of a country in the global economy are essential geopolitical factors that influence a currency’s international status.
Now let us analyse the Indian rupee’s potential to replace the US dollar as an international currency based on the above factors…
Economic Growth and Size
India is the world’s fifth-largest economy with a GDP of over $2.6 trillion and has been growing at an average rate of 7% per year. The country has significant potential for growth, with a young and educated population, a thriving technology industry, and significant foreign investment. India is also a member of the G20, representing a significant economic force in the global economy. However, the US economy is still the largest and most stable economy globally, with a GDP of over $20 trillion.
Therefore, in terms of economic growth and size, the Indian rupee has limited potential to replace the US dollar as an international currency.
Foreign Exchange Reserves
India’s foreign exchange reserves have been increasing over the years, reaching a record high of $560 billion in Jan 2023. This is a significant increase from the $2 billion in foreign exchange reserves that India had 33 years Ago in 1991. However, India’s foreign exchange reserves are still only a fraction of the US’s foreign exchange reserves, United States Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 37.8 USD billion in Jan 2023. Therefore, in terms of foreign exchange reserves, the Indian rupee has limited potential to replace the US dollar as an international currency.
Inflation Rates
India has struggled with high inflation rates in the past, but the country has made significant progress in controlling inflation in recent years. As of Jan 2023, India’s inflation rate was 6.4%, which is higher than the US inflation rate of 6%. However, the Reserve Bank of India has been actively working to control inflation through monetary policy, and this has resulted in a more stable Indian rupee. Therefore, while inflation remains a factor, it is not as limiting as it once was.
Capital Account Convertibility
India has been gradually liberalizing its capital account over the years, allowing more foreign investment into the country. However, India still has some capital controls in place, and the country’s capital account is not yet fully convertible. This can limit the use of the Indian rupee in international transactions, as investors may be hesitant to invest in a currency that is not fully convertible. Therefore, while India is making progress in this area, capital account convertibility remains a limiting factor.
Geopolitical Factors
Political stability, international relations, and the role of a country in the global economy are also essential factors in determining a currency’s international status. India has made significant progress in all of these areas, with stable government and strong international relations. Additionally, India has become a key player in the global economy, with significant growth potential and a large consumer market. These factors could help increase the use of the Indian rupee in international transactions.
Verdict
In my opinion, the Indian rupee and current government has made significant progress in recent years and has the potential to become a more widely accepted international currency. However, it still faces limitations, particularly in comparison to the US dollar. Indian rupee will definitely take more than 10 years to replace US Dollar because The US economy is still the largest and most stable economy globally, and the US dollar remains the primary reserve currency held by most of the central banks worldwide. Additionally, factors such as foreign exchange reserves, inflation rates, and capital account convertibility also play a crucial role in determining a currency’s status as an international currency.
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While the Indian rupee has shown growth in these areas, it still has a long way to go before it can compete with the US dollar on a global scale. Nonetheless, continued economic growth and government policies could help increase the use of the Indian rupee in international transactions in the future.
If there’s anything you think I’ve missed – talk to me in the comments below!
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It’s funny reading headlines like these in Indian News media. You are right Harsh. It’s going to take more than 5-10 years to compete with US dollar…
Glad you liked my article… Thanks
I can see you have not heard of the QFS ( quantum financial system ) its being put in place right now and will change everything with completely new currency’s for all, for instance the Indian rupee will like the dollar and become an asset back currency the dollar will become the “dollar note” backed by gold and the pound will be backed by silver called the “pound sterling note” i don`t know what the Indian rupee will be backed by but both the dollar and rupee will be level with the same value ….. the world is changing you had best get up to speed with this.
I have done the research mate. There is no concrete evidence to support the claim that a “Quantum financial system” (QFS) is being put in place right now, nor is there any indication that such a system would result in completely new currencies for all.
The term “quantum financial system” appears to have originated from conspiracy theories that emerged on the internet in the mid-2010s. Proponents of these theories suggest that a new financial system, based on quantum computing, is being developed by a secret group of individuals, and that this system will eventually replace the current financial system.
However, there is no credible evidence to support these claims, and many experts in quantum computing and finance have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such a system. Quantum computing is still in its early stages of development, and it is not clear how it could be used to create a new financial system.
Furthermore, the idea that such a system would result in completely new currencies for all is highly unlikely. While it is possible that new forms of digital currency could be developed in the future, it is unlikely that they would replace all existing currencies. Currencies are backed by governments and have complex political and economic systems behind them, which cannot be easily replaced by a new technology.
In summary, the claim that a QFS is being put in place right now and will result in completely new currencies for all is not supported by credible evidence, and should be approached with skepticism.
Thanks for the comment though…