Reforms and Global Economic Integration of the Indian Economy

Abstract

Nagesh Kumar brings out the reforms pursued since 1991 have deepened global integration of the Indian economy. Opportunities for product and market diversification remain to be fully exploited to sustain export growth and create more jobs. Despite healthy trade surpluses earned by services as India emerged as a global hub for ICT outsourcing, the balance of payment situation continues to face occasional pressures related to oil prices fluctuations. Export competitiveness needs to be strengthened through appropriate exchange rate management and opportunities for strategic import substitution need to be exploited by leveraging India’s large domestic market size using industrial policy measures, such as Make-in-India. While farsighted policies have led India becoming a part of emerging broader regional economic arrangement, Indian industry has yet to learn to exploit the opportunities provided by preferential access to East Asian markets rather than passively grant market access.