At the end of 2011, China’s external debt to GDP ratio was around 8.3% while it was 19.8% for Brazil, 28% for South Africa and 39% for Russia.
India’s external debt increased to $345.8 billion at end March 2012 compared with $305.9 billion last year and $260.9 billion at the end of 2010-11. The debt servicing ratio also rose to 6% from 4.3% last year, the ministry said in a report.
“India’s external vulnerability indicators have witnessed some signs of stress in the recent period, reflecting the impact of a deepening euro-zone sovereign debt crisis and the global slowdown,” it said.
“Global economic risks could rise further with a weakening recovery, sluggish growth prospects and continuing high debt and gross financing needs in several advanced economies,” it said.