Trends , Patterns and Determinants of Indian Current Account Deficit

Abstract

India’s current account experience deteriorated due to its large dependence on imports and un-competitiveness of exports. The relation between external and internal balances, with deficit in specific, deserves significant attention. Thus to understand the factors influencing current account is important for better designing the policies aiming at sustainable Current Account Deficit (CAD). In this direction, the present study is an endeavour to enrich the existing literature on the trends, patterns and determinants of current account deficit in India since 1996. The study adopts Johansen Cointegration approach to identify long-run relationship and uses Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to identify short-run relationship. The results of Johansen Cointegration test indicates the existence of long-run equilibrium relationship between the current account and the variables of interest, implying that India’s current account is influenced by these factors. On the basis of the empirical results, study concluded that continuously increasing Net Foreign Assets (NFAs) will lead to the betterment of the current account while, increase in imports encompassing exchange rate deterioration will keep on mounting pressure on CAD of India.