India’s Holdings Of American Government Securities Touch $135.7 Billion

India has sharply increased its exposure to U.S. government securities with holdings worth $135.7 billion at the end of July, official data showed.

Neighbouring China continued to top the charts with holding to the tune of $1.166 trillion, followed by Japan with exposure worth $1.113 trillion.

In recent months, India has increased its purchase of American government securities and the country is the third largest holder among the BRICS group after China and Brazil ($271.9 billion). At the end of July, Russia held securities worth $103.1 billion.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Treasury Department, India's holding of the securities touched $135.7 billion at the end of July, the highest in a year.

There has been a significant jump in exposure compared to June when it stood at $130.3 billion. Since February this year, India's holding of these securities has been on the rise. At the end of January, the exposure was just $113.7 billion.

India is the 12th largest holder of U.S. government securities just behind Saudi Arabia whose exposure stood at $142.5 billion at the end of July.

Other countries in the top ten are Ireland ($310.8 billion) at the third place, followed by Brazil, Cayman Islands ($259.2 billion), Switzerland ($244.8 billion), United Kingdom ($229.7 billion), Luxembourg ($213 billion), Hong Kong ($199.1 billion) and Taiwan ($182.5 billion).

In a recent release, the Treasury Department said foreign residents increased their holdings of long term U.S. securities in July and net purchases stood at $5.1 billion.

“Foreign residents increased their holdings of U.S. Treasury bills by $3.1 billion. Foreign resident holdings of all dollar-denominated short-term U.S. securities and other custody liabilities increased by $7.4 billion,” the release said.