External Debt Up 57Pc During 10Th Plan

An apprizing rupee led to the country''s external debt stock rising to $155 billion in 2006-07, a 22.6 per cent increase over the previous year, which totaled to 16.4 per cent of the gross domestic product. The country has added $56 billion or 57 per cent to its external debt during the 10th Plan period (2002-07), the largest increase during any Plan period.