New Delhi, April 23 -- The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told lawmakers on Wednesday that several Gulf countries have requested dollar swap lines with the United States. The remark came during Bessent's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Treasury Department's fiscal year 2027 budget request.

Bessent said the requests reflect continued confidence in the US financial system and the dollar's position as the world's reserve currency. "Treasury is committed to working with Congress to protect our nation's financial system, spur job growth, and strengthen the economy," he said, adding that the administration's $11.5 billion budget proposal -- a 12% cut from the enacted level -- is designed to "boost growth, pr...