<h1>Central bank keeps policy repo rate at 5.50% after MPC votes; maintains neutral, data-dependent stance amid global risks</h1> The central bank reported the economy shows strength, stability and opportunity and released minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting held Aug 4-6, where all six members voted to keep the policy repo rate at 5.50%. The Governor noted benign near-term inflation with projected uptick from Q3 and cautioned that evolving US tariff uncertainties warrant a watchful stance. Members emphasized preserving policy space, monitoring transmission of a recent 100 bps easing and an upcoming CRR cut intended to aid transmission, and adopting a data-dependent, neutral stance given global and domestic uncertainties, uneven industry performance and the need to assess sectoral tariff impacts.