NSE, LSE inks MoU for dual listing of Masala Bonds

National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on creating dual listing route 

for masala bonds and foreign currency bonds of Indian issuers.

• Through approval of a single listing document, the issuer can obtain dual listing on LSE's International Securities Market and NSE's GIFT City.
• It will serve as a potential precursor of further joint listings in the future that could see foreign currency bonds in India also being able to list in London.

What are Masala Bonds?

• Masala bonds are rupee-denominated bonds through which Indian entities can raise money from foreign markets in rupee and not in foreign currency.
• Basically, it is a debt instrument used by corporates to raise money from foreign investors in local currency.
• The issuance of rupee denominated bonds transfers the risk associated with currency fluctuations to investors and not to the issuers.
• This is especially during depreciation of domestic currency and when borrowing is in foreign currency as a company has to pay more while repaying its debt, or while servicing interest on such borrowings if the rupee weakened.
• From the issuer's perspective, masala bonds provides cheaper borrowings compared to raising funds in India besides helps in diversifying its sources of fund raising.
• Besides, it also helps in internationalization of the rupee and in expansion of Indian bond markets. 
• Its issuance in long term can help to check slide of rupee and also reduce the current account deficit over time.

What is the significance of dual listing of Masala Bonds?

• It will extend access to a wider base of global investors as well as domestic and regional investors registered on NSE's International Exchange and NSE IFSC Limited in Gujarat International Finance Tech City.
• It will also enhance visibility, increase liquidity in secondary markets and enhance efficiency of price discovery for masala bond issuers.
• It will also reduce the cost of raising capital for all issuers and encourage participation of wider variety of issuers in the masala bond market.

Question:

Q. National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on creating a dual listing route for which financial instrument of Indian issuers?
a. P-Note
b. Masala Bondsc. Gold Sovereign Bonds
d. None of the above