New Delhi, Aug. 6 -- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept its benchmark repo rate unchanged at 5.5 per cent in its latest monetary policy review, even as concerns loom over global trade uncertainty and slowing external demand. The announcement was made during the bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, held against the backdrop of a fresh tariff threat from US President Donald Trump, which has added to existing global economic tensions.

This decision follows a larger-than-expected 50 basis points rate cut by the RBI in June, which was aimed at spurring growth amid softening inflation. While keeping the policy stance unchanged at 'neutral', RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said that the central bank would maintain a close watch on...