India’s makes robust global development initiatives

In a recent Rajya Sabha session, questions were raised by members including Iranna Kadadi, Dr. Anil Jain, and Satish Chandra Dubey regarding India’s major development projects abroad.

Responding to the queries, V. Muraleedharan, the Minister of State for External Affairs, provided a comprehensive overview of the initiatives, funds allocated, and steps taken to promote India’s global interests.

India’s developmental projects are strategically aligned with the needs and aspirations of partner countries, spanning Asia, Africa, CIS, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Pacific Islands. The support is extended through Lines of Credit, grants-in-aid, and capacity building programs.

To date, India has provided 308 Lines of Credit amounting to over USD 32.02 billion. Notably, USD 17.06 billion has been directed to Asia, USD 12.15 billion to Africa, and USD 2.81 billion to other regions, encompassing various sectors such as infrastructure, power, connectivity, agriculture, education, and health.

In addition to Lines of Credit, grant assistance projects are concentrated in India’s neighboring countries, with a focus on Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and others.

India’s commitment to global development and cooperation was further underscored during these parliamentary proceedings, highlighting the nation’s proactive role in fostering partnerships and addressing the evolving needs of the international community

India places a strong emphasis on capacity building to promote its interests globally. Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC), around 160 countries annually benefit from over 14,000 training slots for civilian and defense courses. This assistance includes ‘in-person training’ at Indian institutions, deployment of Indian experts abroad, onsite training capsules, online e-ITEC Programs, and the establishment of training centers overseas.

In a significant development, the government launched the e-VidyaBharati and e-AarogyaBharati Network Project (e-VBAB), an upgraded version of the Pan Africa e-Network Project, providing tele-education and tele-medicine services to partner countries in Africa.

In the fiscal year 2023-24, ITEC introduced region-focused packages of capacity building courses. Notably, the SAGAR AMRUT package for Pacific Island Countries and the QUAD Infrastructure Fellowship for the Indo-Pacific region are among the prominent initiatives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 1st Voice of Global South Summit in January 2023, announced several new initiatives, including the Global South Centre of Excellence named “DAKSHIN,” Global South scholarships, and the Global South Young Diplomats Forum. The Global South Centre of Excellence was inaugurated during the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit on November 17, 2023.

India’s commitment to global development and cooperation was further underscored during these parliamentary proceedings, highlighting the nation’s proactive role in fostering partnerships and addressing the evolving needs of the international community.

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