India’s central bank governor has expressed concern over growing debt distress among regional trade partners and said he is alert to possible risks to his country’s economy from a global slowdown Shaktikanta Das said in an interview with the Financial Times

Das declined to specify which countries he meant but Sri Lanka last year became Asia’s first country in decades to default. Meanwhile Pakistan, India’s nuclear-armed western neighbour and traditional foe, is down to $5.6bn of foreign exchange reserves, equivalent to about one month’s imports.

Bangladesh’s export-led economy has been hit by slower demand, rising fuel prices and power cuts, leading its government last year to seek IMF help.