Photographs: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
Like all governments, the United States borrows hard cash through treasury bonds. It issues government securities that other countries and institutions buy.
The US national debt -- almost $14.35 trillion -- is owned mostly in the United States, and the $4.5 trillion foreign-owned debt is owned predominantly by Asian economies, according to Guardian and Business Insider.
First let us take a look how much debt America owes to India.
Source: US Treasury, US Federal Reserve
...
This is what America owes India, others!
India
In April 2011: $42 billion
In January 2011: $41 billion
In June 2010: $35 billion
Change: +18.9 per cent
Click NEXT to see who holds how much of US Treasury bonds...
This is what America owes India, others!
Social security trust fund
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $2.67 trillion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 19
...
This is what America owes India, others!
The Federal Reserve
The Treasury owes the Fed $1.63 trillion in Treasuries, much of which were bought for the Quantitative Easing programmes.
That is 11.3 per cent of US debt, much more than China.
...
This is what America owes India, others!
China
Total holdings of Treasuries: $1.16 trillion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 8
...
This is what America owes India, others!
US households
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $959.4 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 6.6
...
This is what America owes India, others!
Japan
Total holdings of Treasuries: $912.4 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 6.4
...
This is what America owes India, others!
State and local governments
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $506.1 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 3.5
...
This is what America owes India, others!
Private pension funds
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $504.7 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 3.5
...
This is what America owes India, others!
United Kingdom
Total holdings of Treasuries: $346.5 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2.4
...
This is what America owes India, others!
Money market mutual funds
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $337.7 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2.4
...
This is what America owes India, others!
State, local and federal retirement funds
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $320.9 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2.2
...
This is what America owes India, others!
Commercial banks
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $301.8 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2.1
...
This is what America owes India, others!
Mutual funds
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $300.5 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2
...
This is what America owes India, others!
Oil exporting countries
Total holdings of Treasuries: $229.8 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 1.6
...
This is what America owes India, others!
Brazil
Total holdings of Treasuries: $211.4 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 1.5
...
This is what America owes India, others!
Taiwan
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $153.4 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 1.1
...
This is what America owes India, others!
Caribbean banking centres
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $148.3 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 1
article