India's Gold Dilemma: Why SBI Report Calls for New Policy on Commodity vs Money

The report pointed out that perceptions of gold in the East and West are very different. It noted that in Western countries, gold has achieved the status of public property, while in the East, particularly in countries like India, Japan, Korea, and China gold continues to be viewed as private property.

According to the report, "The time has now come to conceive a comprehensive policy on gold and for such it is important that one defines what is gold (commodity or money) and how is gold perceived by its ultimate consumer."

Currently, India's gold policy focuses mainly on reducing demand and recycling existing gold stocks for productive use.

The report highlighted that since gold represents a source of funds without contributing directly to capital formation, monetizing gold can have a positive impact on future investments.

SBI also compared India's position on gold with that of China. The report showed that China's central bank holds around 2,300 tonnes of gold, while India's central bank holds about 880 tonnes. China has a stated central bank policy on gold, whereas India's is not specified.

In terms of household gold holdings, Chinese households hold less than 10 grams on average, with a target of 20 grams, while Indian households hold over 25 grams. China has a defined household policy on gold linked to current account trends, but India's policy is need-based.

China also has a clearly stated policy on gold, though it is not made public, while India has no formal statement.

Commercial banks in China are involved in gold operations at various levels along the production and supply chain. In India, banks are largely restricted to financing the gems and jewellery sector, exporters, and gold deposits.

In terms of production, China is the largest producer of gold in the world, with rapidly developing assaying facilities. India's domestic production is smaller, but reports from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) indicate large gold deposits in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.

China also has a strong international presence as a member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), while India, though not a member, is one of the largest exporters of gold jewellery in the world.

As per report this happened because since independence, India's policies on gold have revolved around six main elements, encouraging people to invest in other asset classes, regulating gold supply, curbing smuggling, reducing household demand for physical gold, keeping domestic gold prices low, and ensuring exchange rate stability and financial balance.

However, the report observed that most of these measures were short-term in nature and aimed primarily at reducing physical gold demand. Only three reports, the RBI's internal report in 1992 and two Tarapore Committee reports attempted to take a long-term view.

The report added that the geopolitical importance of gold, which is now central to global economic discussions, was not given enough attention in earlier reports.

It also pointed out that past policy interventions did not consider the views of the gold industry, which provides significant employment, both directly and indirectly.

So the report outlined that it is time for India to take a comprehensive and long-term approach to gold policy that considers its economic, cultural, and strategic significance.

- ANI