Mumbai: India's foreign exchange reserves have increased by $ 27 million at $ 49,252 million, a record high, during the week ended January 25, 2002.

In the previous week, the foreign exchange reserves had swelled by $ 298 million to cross the $ 49 billion mark.

Foreign currency assets rose to $ 46,391 million, witnessing a rise of $ 27 million in the reporting week, according to Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement issued on February 2.

During the past seven weeks, foreign currency reserves have grown by $ 2,063 million, which includes a massive flow of $ 728 million for the week ended December 14.

Gold reserves and Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) remained static at $ 2,856 million and $ 5 million respectively.

Foreign currency assets expressed in US Dollar terms include the effect of appreciation/depreciation of non-US currencies such as Euro, Sterling and Yen held in reserves.

Loans and advances to the Central government stood at Rs 5,893 crore, down by Rs 864 crore for the week ended January 25, while that to state governments fell by Rs 545 crore to Rs 5,870 crore.

PTI