"I wouldn't want to speculate on any support or program needs," he said when asked on the speculation about India coming to the IMF, possibly selling its gold reserves to the IMF to prop up its currency.

"But maybe just stepping back on the situation in India, the combination of large fiscal and current account deficits, high and persistent inflation, sizable un hedged corporate foreign borrowing and reliance on portfolio inflows are longstanding vulnerabilities that have now been elevated as global liquidity conditions tighten, and this clearly has affected market confidence," Rice said in response to a question.

The US India Business Council (USIBC) president Ron Somers emphasised on taking steps to restore investors' confidence."Bold leadership that continues to open India's economy and which advances reforms will help staunch the rupees' slide," Somers told PTI.

Lifting FDI caps in Insurance should be the highest priority, while resisting protectionist measures - such as forced manufacturing and backsliding on Intellectual Property protection - is crucial.Demonstrating such leadership will go a long way towards restoring investor sentiment," Somers said.

Refraining to comment on the Food Security Bill, Somers said rather than discussing the merits or timing, it is now essential to welcome organised retail into the country such that MNCs may help achieve the Bill's efficient implementation and very purpose - to facilitate inclusive growth.

On the Land Acquisition Bill, he said, certainly, the existing law dating back to 1894 requires modernisation. "However, my hope is that the outcome does not discourage investment in the essential sector of infrastructure. Both investment and infrastructure are the need of the hour," Somers said.

PTI