New Delhi, Aug. 3 -- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to leave interest rates unchanged at its monetary policy review on 5 August, shifting the focus from what it does to what it says.

A Mint poll of 10 economists found all respondents expect the RBI to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and retain its "neutral" policy stance, preserving flexibility as it navigates geopolitical risks, volatile crude oil prices, an uneven monsoon, a weakening rupee and imported inflation.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is scheduled to announce its decision after its 3-5 August meeting.

The repo, or repurchase, rate is the rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to commercial banks, typically against government securities as colla...