JPMorgan move to spotlight govt funds

JP Morgan Chase & Co.'s plan to include Indian government bonds to its emerging markets bond index next year will draw scrutiny from foreign investors on public finances, particularly on efforts to cut the budget deficit.

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While global asset managers play a small role in the Indian market, inflows have been picking up since the government loosened rules in 2020 on the bonds foreigners can own.

India's weighting will reach a maximum 10% in JPMorgan's benchmark index, which accounts for $213 billion in assets, once the government bonds are included from June next year.

At 8.9% of gross domestic product, India's combined government fiscal deficit is the highest among the 20 countries tracked under the JPMorgan Government Bond IndexEmerging Markets.