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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
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India
In April 2011: $42 billion
In January 2011: $41 billion
In June 2010: $35 billion
Change: +18.9 per cent
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Social security trust fund
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $2.67 trillion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 19
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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.
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China
Total holdings of Treasuries: $1.16 trillion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 8
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US households
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $959.4 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 6.6
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Japan
Total holdings of Treasuries: $912.4 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 6.4
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State and local governments
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $506.1 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 3.5
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Private pension funds
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $504.7 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 3.5
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United Kingdom
Total holdings of Treasuries: $346.5 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2.4
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Money market mutual funds
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $337.7 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2.4
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State, local and federal retirement funds
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $320.9 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2.2
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Commercial banks
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $301.8 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2.1
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Mutual funds
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $300.5 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 2
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Oil exporting countries
Total holdings of Treasuries: $229.8 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 1.6
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Brazil
Total holdings of Treasuries: $211.4 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 1.5
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Taiwan
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $153.4 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 1.1
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Caribbean banking centres
Total holdings of US Treasuries: $148.3 billion
Percentage of US debt that they own: 1