India's total foreign debt rose by 22.6 per cent to $155 billion in 2006-07, but almost 10 per cent of the increase was ascribed to the weakness in dollar against other international currencies.

"Almost 10 per cent of the addition in total external debt ($28.5 billion) during the year was ascribed to a valuation change as a result of the weakening US dollar vis-a-vis other major international currencies," according to a finance ministry document -- 'India's External Debt: A Status Report'.

In rupee terms, India's external debt stood at Rs 6,75,857 crore (Rs 6,758.57 billion), accounting for 16.4 per cent of GDP.

According to RBI analysis of external debt released earlier, although the debt to GDP ratio marginally increased by 0.6 per cent within a year from 15.8 per cent as on March 31, 2006, it was 30.8 per cent on March 31, 1995.

It had also pointed out that at the end of March this year, the external debt comprised of 49 per cent in dollars, 12.9 per cent in yen, 17.4 per cent in Indian rupees, and 2.6 per cent pounds.

Component-wise, as much as 56 per cent of the increase was accounted for by commercial borrowings, followed by non-resident Indian deposits (16 per cent), short-term debt (12 per cent) and multilateral debt (11 per cent).