India fell three positions to 15 in Eurasia Group’s ranking of 24 countries based on their political risks. Also, the October outlook is negative for India on concerns that the government will increase subsidies and other handouts ahead of several state elections this year and the general election early next year.

In fact, the outlook is negative for almost half of the countries in the index. The index is topped by Poland, with Hungary and South Korea at the next two positions. Iran, which is ahead of Pakistan and Nigeria from the bottom, has a positive outlook as the analysts at Eurasia Group see a perceived endorsement from the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, improving President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s political standing.

The index, compiled by Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, is a composite measure of a country’s government, society, security and economy. While the score indicates stability or instability for the month gone by (September, in this case), the outlook (positive, negative or neutral) indicates which way the scores will likely move.

Also seeFull report (graphic)

Mint has partnered with the Eurasia Group for GPRI and runs this every month. Mint carried the previous GPRI on 12 September.

For previous editions of the index, also read www.livemint.com/gpri

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