New Delhi: India’s short-term debt to total external debt ratio rose to 21.2% in 2010-11, the highest in at least five years, signalling a worsening of the external economy of the country. The status report on external debt released by the finance ministry for 2010-11 also showed that the short-term debt to foreign exchange reserves increased to 21.3%. The rise in short-term debt is considered riskier as it needs to be repaid from foreign currency reserves in a shorter duration of time. However, the external debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio fell to 17.3% in 2010-11 compared with 18% a year ago.