Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Office on Wednesday called the report of Moody’s Analytics — that warned that unless he reined in BJP members, India risked domestic and global credibility — “the personal opinion of a Junior Associate Economist” employed with the agency.
The PMO said: “The opinion of a Junior Associate Economist employed with Moody’s Analytics has been splashed all across implying it as the opinion of Moody’s Analytics.” Moody’s Analytics is the research and analysis wing of Moody’s Corporation. Moody’s Investors Service Inc. is a subsidiary.
In a report titled “India Outlook: Searching for Potential” last week, it expressed concern over what it called the belligerent provocation against various Indian minorities.
Moody’s Shared Services India had shared it with the media on Friday through e-mail as it does all notes from Moody’s Analytics and Moody’s Investors Service Inc. The e-mail said the publication was produced by Moody’s Analytics and “if sourcing or referencing any contents from this publication, please quote Moody’s Analytics”.
“Neither the e-mail nor the attached note said the report was based on the author’s personal views.”
When contacted by The Hindu, a spokesman at Moody’s Shared Services India said the PMO’s statement had been sent to the firm’s offices in New York and Singapore for response or further action.
He could not confirm whether the PMO had consulted Moody’s Analytics ahead of issuing the statement.
