Global index provider MSCI has maintained status quo on Asia during its annual market classification review. It was widely expected that South Korea would be put on watch list, a precursor for an upgrade from emerging market (EM) to developed market (DM). This could delay the nation’s ambition to be classified as a DM until 2025, say analysts. In the Asia Pacific region, MSCI classifies Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore as DMs. Meanwhile, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea and Taiwan are classified as EMs. India - the sixth biggest stock market globally in terms of market capitalisation