5 Potential Advantages of De-dollarisation: The Vision of India

In this article, we will dissect well into the concept of dedollarisation and how it has affected the nations especially dynamic and ruling nations such as the United States of America.

Introduction to De-dollarisation

What is Dedollarisation and what is its hype globally?

Dedollarisation is a term that refers to the reduction of reliance on the US dollar as a global currency. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards dedollarisation, as countries around the world seek to diversify their currencies and reduce their dependence on the US dollar. In this article, we will explore the concept of dedollarisation and its implications for the global economy. We will also take a closer look at the value that the Indian Rupee holds globally.

The US dollar has always been the dominant currency in the world. It is used for international trade, investment, and as a reserve currency by central banks. The dollar’s dominance is due to several factors, including the size and strength of the US economy, the stability of the US political system, and the willingness of other countries to hold dollars as a safe-haven asset. However, in recent years, there has been a growing sense among many countries that the dollar’s dominance may be too great, and that it is time to reduce reliance on the dollar.

Concept of Petrodollars: Petrodollars are U.S. dollars paid to an oil-exporting country. Petrodollars are the primary source of revenue for many OPEC members and other oil exporters. Oil exporters settle sales in U.S. dollars because the dollar is the most widely used currency, making it easier for them to invest export proceeds.

There are several reasons why countries might seek to reduce their reliance on the US dollar. First, holding dollars as a reserve currency can be risky, as changes in the value of the dollar can have significant implications for a country’s economy. Second, the use of the dollar as a global currency can give the United States undue influence over other countries, as the US can use its control over the dollar to apply pressure on other countries to conform to its policies. Finally, some countries are concerned that the US’s use of sanctions and other economic tools can be used to exert political influence over other countries.

The trend towards dedollarisation has been gaining momentum in recent years. Countries such as China and Russia have been actively promoting the use of their own currencies in international trade and investment. In addition, the European Union has been working to develop the euro as a viable alternative to the US dollar, and many other countries around the world are exploring ways to reduce their dependence on the dollar.

Where does the Indian rupee fit into all of this, let us understand that.

India’s take on dedollarisation:

 India is one of the world’s largest economies, with a population of over 1.3 billion people. The Indian rupee is the official currency of India, and it is also used in several other countries in the region, including Nepal and Bhutan. The rupee has traditionally been a stable currency, and it has been used as a reserve currency by several countries in the region.

In recent years, the Indian government has taken steps to promote the use of the rupee in international trade and investment. In 2018, India launched the RuPay card, a domestic payment system that is designed to compete with global payment systems such as Visa and Mastercard. The government has also been working to promote the use of the rupee in international trade, signing currency swap agreements with several countries, including Japan and the UAE.

Despite these efforts, the Indian rupee still has a long way to go before it can stand equal to the US dollar as a global currency. One of the highly faced challenges concerning the rupee is its relative lack of liquidity. The US dollar is used for a vast array of financial transactions around the world, and there are trillions of dollars in circulation. In contrast, the rupee is primarily used within India, and there are relatively few rupees in circulation outside the country.

Another challenge facing the rupee is the perception of India as a risky investment destination. While India has made significant progress in recent years in terms of economic development and political stability, there are still concerns about corruption, bureaucracy, and political instability in the country. As a result, many international investors are hesitant to invest in India, and this has limited the use of the rupee in international trade and investment.

Here are the potential advantages to India as a nation if dedollarisation were to fully occur:

• Dedollarisation could help India reduce its exposure to fluctuations in the value of the US dollar, which can have a significant impact on the Indian economy.

• If India were to rely less on the US dollar, it would have more control over its own monetary policy, allowing it to better manage inflation, interest rates, and other economic factors.

• By diversifying its currency reserves, India could reduce its reliance on any one currency and spread its risk across a range of currencies.
  
• Dedollarisation could make it easier for India to engage in trade with countries that are less reliant on the US dollar, opening up new business opportunities.
  
• If India were less dependent on the US dollar, it would be less vulnerable to US sanctions, which can have a significant impact on the Indian economy.

Conclusion:

By reducing its dependence on the US dollar, India, as a nation could increase its political autonomy and reduce the influence of the United States of America on Indian policy. In case the other countries in the region also reduce their reliance on the US dollar, it could lead to greater regional cooperation and integration, which could benefit India. If India were less dependent on the US dollar, it would be less vulnerable to US sanctions, which can have a significant impact on the Indian economy.

Diversification of currency reserves would take place as a result of dedollarisation, by diversifying its currency reserves, India could reduce its reliance on any one currency and spread its risk across a range of currencies.

Petrodollars are U.S. dollars paid to an oil-exporting country such as the United States of Arab, etc. Petrodollars are the primary source of revenue for many OPEC and other oil exporters. Oil exporters settle sales in U.S. dollars because the dollar is the most widely used currency, making it easier for them to invest export proceeds.

Sources:

Moneycontrol.com

Jetir.org

Indiatimes.com

forumIAS community blogs

Global times

Tass.com