The United States has supported Narendra Modi government’s move to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. US State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner on Thursday said demonetisation was an “important” and “necessary” step to address corruption, reported PTI.

“American citizens who are working and living in India, I think have the proper information now to exchange those notes or to get new notes, and it’s a little bit of an adjustment, just as it was an inconvenience...but I think a necessary one to address corruption,” Toner said. He said that a statement was issued for American citizens in India regarding changes in the currency.

On November 10, two days after demonetisation was implemented, Toner had described it as an “anti-corruption” move.

In a bid to tackle counterfeit cash and black money issues, on November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 would no longer be a legal tender, following which there has been a severe cash crunch in the country. The Reserve Bank of India had assured the public that banks would have plenty of cash to manage the payday rush. However, citizens found themselves waiting in long queues outside ATMs only to be told later that the machines were out of cash.