New Delhi, March 5 -- Every USD 10 per barrel increase in global crude oil prices could reduce India's GDP growth by about 0.5 per cent and add pressure on economic activity, inflation and currency stability, given the country's heavy reliance on imported crude, Vandana Bharti, Research Head - Commodity, SMC Global Securities, told ANI.

"(Tensions in the gulf countries) It is a real threat to the Indian economy because we have reserves for about 25-30 days for emergency situations, but nearly half of our crude oil supply comes from the Middle East," Bharti told ANI in an exclusive interview, adding that "Every $10 hike in crude oil prices hurts India's GDP by about 0.5 per cent. We have already seen crude prices rise by around $10 to $15...