The foreign exchange reserves rose by a record $2,979 million to $1,32,959 million mark for the week ending February 18, 2005, according to Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement released in Mumbai on Saturday.
The foreign currency assets during this period also rose by $2,975 million to $1,27,152 million, RBI said. The heavy US currency purchase by the RBI, revaluation of international currencies and inflows to some extent contributed to growth in reserves, analysts said.
Gold remained static at $ 4,390 million. India's Reserve Tranche Position with International Monetary Fund increased by $ 9 million to reach $1,412 million, it added.
Loans and advances to state governments rose by Rs 1,418 crore (Rs 14.18 billion) to Rs 2,521 crore (Rs 25.21 billion) while that to central government showed a nil balance.