RBI Hikes Repo Rate After 3 Years: What the Middle East Conflict Has to Do With It

The RBI raised its repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, its first hike since February 2023, shifting stance to 'Calibrated Tightening' amid rising inflation risks and global instability driven by the West Asia conflict. Higher oil prices, elevated bond yields and trade uncertainty have pressured inflation, prompting coordinated tightening by major central banks worldwide.