We see India's fiscal deficit, debt higher than peers in FY18: Fitch chief

Deterioration in balance sheets of PSU banks in excess of Fitch expectations may spur rating downgrade, says Thomas Rookmaaker, Director, Sovereign Ratings, Fitch Ratings

The finance ministry was eagerly looking for rating upgrades for India. However, to its disappointment, Fitch has retained its rating for the country at the lowest investment grade. Thomas Rookmaaker, Director, Sovereign Ratings, Fitch Ratings, tells Indivjal Dhasmana that though India has improved its position in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking by 30 notches in 2017 to reach the 100th position, its position is still lower than similarly rated economies. Edited excerpts:

Fitch attributed its decision to retain India's sovereign ratings to its weak fiscal health. Though there is fiscal slippage, the government has accepted the recommendations