NEW DELHI, Sept 10 (Reuters): The Indian government is considering measures to stop further depreciation of the rupee including a special deposit scheme for non-resident Indians, local TV channels reported on Monday, citing finance ministry sources.
Indian bonds and the rupee slumped on Monday as emerging market assets came under renewed pressure amid the spectre of a rising dollar, higher crude oil prices and escalating global trade tensions.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and its peers in other emerging economies have been forced to defend their currencies recently in the wake of a confluence of dollar-supportive events.
The rupee has fallen by nearly 15 per cent against the dollar this year, and touched a new record low of 72.66 on Monday.
However, the RBI wasn't seen actively intervening in the foreign exchange markets as it did on Friday, traders said.
The 10-year benchmark bond yield rose to 8.12 per cent, its highest since November 28, 2014 as a rise in global crude oil prices added to inflation concerns.
The rupee touched a low of 72.4450 to the dollar pressured by solid support for the dollar thanks to strong US jobs data on Friday, which reinforced expectations of more rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
The 10-year bond had ended at 8.03 per cent on Friday and the rupee at 71.73 to the dollar.
"RBI is not trying to defend any level strongly today," said a senior forex analyst at a state-run bank.
"The next strong technical resistance is at 72/50-72.75 (to the dollar) level."
Heightened fears that Washington will slap fresh trade tariffs on China also saw investors seek safety in the dollar and pull out of emerging market currencies.
High oil prices were a spoiler for both the rupee and bonds.
India imports more than two-third of its crude requirement and any rise in global prices impacts not only pushes up dollar demand by importers but also raises inflation concerns back home.
The RBI has raised its policy repo rate in two successive meetings by a total of 50 basis points as it aims to contain inflation to 4.0 per cent in the medium term.
The headline consumer inflation rose 4.17 per cent in July from a year earlier and is expected to pick up momentum on higher crude prices and the weakening rupee.
Oil prices rose as US drilling for new production stalled and as the market eyed tighter conditions once Washington's sanctions against Iran's crude exports kick in from November.
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