Lok Sabha Question No. 2449 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Financial Aid to other Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2449

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## FINANCIAL AID TO OTHER COUNTRIES

## 2449. SHRI A. P. JITHENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the country-wise details of the financial aid given by India to other countries during the year 2015-16 and 2016-17;
- (b) the details of the aid and grants meant for developmental purposes in other countries;
- (c) whether the Government see developmental aid as a medium to increase   political   influence   in   the   region   and   plan   to   increase developmental aid to the ally countries in near future particularly the neighbouring countries;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the details of the steps taken by the Government during the last two years to increase its regional influence politically, diplomatically and militarily?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) & (b) Details of financial aid provided by Government of India to other   countries   in   the   year   2015-16   and   2016-17   are   enclosed   at Annexure-I.

(c) & (d) India's approach towards developmental cooperation is in the spirit   of   South-South   cooperation.   Developmental   programmes   and projects are undertaken as per the needs of partner countries and with the aim of mutual benefit and shared objectives such as enhancing economic growth,   regional   connectivity,   shared   prosperity   and   people-to   people contacts etc.

In keeping with the 'Neighbourhood First' policy of the Government, developmental   cooperation   has   been   strengthened   with   neighbouring countries in wide-ranging sectors such as trade and investment, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, health, human resources development, drinking water   and   sanitation,   capacity   building,   culture,   disaster   relief   and rehabilitation and regional peace & security.

- (e) In accordance with the high priority accorded by the Government to relations with our neighbouring countries, initiatives undertaken during the

last   two   years   include   continued   high-level   political   engagement, improving   connectivity   and   people-to-people   contacts,   addressing developmental challenges, creating shared prosperity and security, and building greater trust and confidence.

The various steps taken by India to extend developmental aid has resulted in organic development, stability and security of the region. *****

*****

## ANNEXURE-I

|   Sl No | Country                           | 2015-16 Actual amount (Rs)   | 2016-17 Actual Amount (Rs)   |
|---------|-----------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
|       1 | Bangladesh                        | 155,67,75,000                | 82,58,92,000                 |
|       2 | Myanmar                           | 117,06,64,000                | 123,62,32,000                |
|       3 | Nepal                             | 309,94,21,000                | 332,71,61,000                |
|       4 | Sri Lanka                         | 403,80,23,000                | 99,15,66,000                 |
|       5 | Maldives                          | 55,03,60,000                 | 80,00,37,000                 |
|       6 | Afghanistan                       | 880,44,49,000                | 263,02,48,000                |
|       7 | Bhutan                            | 2127,65,98,000               | 961,15,64,000                |
|       8 | Mongolia                          | 7,48,89,000                  | 1,94,49,000                  |
|       9 | Mauritius                         | 68,00,000                    | 409,97,28,000                |
|      10 | Seychelles                        | 47,99,00,000                 | 49,98,06,000                 |
|      11 | Aid to Central Asia               | 204,16,258                   | 486,33,314                   |
|      12 | Aid to African Countries          | 108,57,98,604                | 39,80,24,663                 |
|      13 | Aid to Latin American Countries   | 15,02,94,000                 | 8,76,72,000                  |
|      14 | Aid to Other Developing Countries | 103,49,58,000                | 113,77,18,000                |
|      15 | Aid for Disaster Relief           | 117,21,66,000                | 23,29,74,000                 |
|      16 | Technical Aid under Colombo Plan  | 7,89,96,000                  | 9,58,41,000                  |
|      17 | ITEC+ SCCAP Programme             | 230,95,91,000                | 240,79,83,000                |