RBI policy review: Amid global market storm, all eyes on inflation forecast

But more analysts now believe tightening looms down the road after surging oil and food prices led India's consumer inflation to a 17-month high in December

The Reserve Bank of India, meeting amid a global market storm, is widely expected to keep its key rate on hold on Wednesday, but toughen its rhetoric as inflation has accelerated sharply, making an increasing number of analysts see a hike this year.

A Reuters poll showed 58 of 60 economists expect the repo rate INREPO=ECI to be kept at 6.00 per cent, the lowest since November 2010, and the reverse repo rate INRREP=ECI at 5.75 per cent. The other two predicted a 25 basis points hike.

But more analysts now believe tightening looms down the road after surging oil and food