External debt rose 57% during 10th Plan: Report

An appreciating rupee led to the country's external debt stock rising to $155 billion in 2006-07, a 22.6 per cent increase over the previous year, which amounted to 16.4 per cent of the gross domestic product.

The country has added $56 billion or 57 per cent to its external debt during the 10th Plan period (2002-07), the largest increase during any Plan period, the Finance Ministry said today in the 13th status report on India's external debt.