Mumbai, Feb. 19 -- India would require a stronger credit rating as a prerequisite for inclusion into the FTSE World Government Bond Index, a 25-country benchmark with a market value of $29.5 trillion, said two senior executives at the compiler of indices.

There are 18 different criteria that need to be met to gain entry to the World Government Bond Index, "the most difficult benchmark to gain access to in any asset class", Fiona Bassett, chief executive; and Scott Harman, the head of fixed income, currencies and commodities at FTSE Russell, said in an interview.

India is currently rated at the lowest investment grade by global rating agencies, something the government has been unhappy about.

"Typically, we will work with policy makers ...