Indian foreign aid is the aid given by theIndian government to other governments. India's major quantum of foreign aid is given to neighbouring countries. Since 2000, the Indian government has provided financial assistance worth $48 billion to over 65 countries. The amount comprised $14.74 billion in grants, $32.6 billion in concessional lines of credit and $656 million in capacity building and training programs.[1] For the year 2025, India planned on providing developmental grants worth of₹6,750 crore (US$800 million) to several developing countries and it included a notable increase in allocation for countries inAfrica.[2] That apart, concessional lines of credit and other developmental assistance are provided throughout the year and are not included as part of the initial budget.[3] India has set up 'Indian Agency for Partnership in Development' as a part ofMinistry of External Affairs (India) to channelize aid to recipient nations.
An Americansocial enterprise,Devex reported in 2013 that India has spent US$1 billion on foreign aid in 2012–13. Since 2009, the foreign aid had increased around 3.2 times annually.[4] In 2017, the government declared that India had been a net donor in 2015–16.[5] In the Indian Government budget of year 2019-2020 USD 1.32 billion (INR 8415 crore) were allocated (0.3% of the overall budget) for India's foreign aid programme . Indian aid receiving countries are Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, African nations, Caribbean nations and a few Eastern European nations. Over the years India has funded several infrastructure, development and other projects in many countries worth billions of USD.
| Year | Amount USD (in million) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | 442 | Devex[6] |
| 2010-11 | 563 | Devex[6] |
| 2011-12 | 646 | Devex[6] |
| 2012-13 | 1,020 | Devex[6] |
| Aid to Countries | Budget 2023-2024 (in ₹ crore) | Revised 2023-2024 (in ₹ crore) | Budget 2024-2025 (in ₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhutan | 2,400.58 | 2,398.97 | 2,068.56 |
| Afghanistan | 200 | 220 | 200 |
| Bangladesh | 200 | 130 | 120 |
| Nepal | 550 | 650 | 700 |
| Sri Lanka | 150 | 60 | 245 |
| Maldives | 400 | 770.90 | 400 |
| Mongolia | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| African Countries | 250 | 180 | 200 |
| Eurasian Countries | 75 | 20 | 20 |
| Latin American Countries | 50 | 32 | 30 |
| Other Developing Countries | 150 | 95 | 125 |
| Disaster Relief | 5 | 55 | 10 |
| Chabahar Port | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Mauritius | 460.79 | 330 | 370 |
| Seychelles | 10 | 9.91 | 40 |
India's foreign aid program began in the 1950s through theColombo Plan. Although India's contributions through the Colombo Plan were small, it was still the fifth highest contributor to the Plan and the highest contributor among developing countries. Nepal was the largest recipient of Indian aid.[8] Nepal and Bhutan were the first countries to receive aid from India.[9] In 1958, India committed to providing $100 million multi-year grants to Nepal and also extended a₹20 crore (equivalent to₹19 billion or US$230 million in 2023) loan to Myanmar.[10]
In May 2011, India pledged $5 billion to African countries, following an injection of $5.4bn in 2008 for infrastructure development.[11] In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced $600m (£393m) in assistance for development projects in Africa at an India-Africa Forum Summit attended by 50 African nation in October 2015 in New Delhi. PM Modi announce a concessional credit of $10 billion to Africa that included Nigeria and 50000 scholarships to African students at the India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015. India's line of credit to Africa is close to $9 billion, with projects taking up $7.4 billion. India sent a grant of $100 million to UN to fight Ebola and another $20 million bilaterally to Guinea to tackle the disease.[3]
India was the first Asian country to become a member of the Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF).[12] Between 2002 and 2021, India provided over US$11 billion in the form of aid and grants to African countries. India donated 150 metric tons of medical aid to 25 African countries, and supplied over 24.7 million doses of COVID vaccines to 42 countries in Africa as of February 2021.[13]
In May 2017, India and Japan proposed a plan to build an Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) to boost in economic development in region.[14]
India has aided many hydro-electric power plants in Nepal like Pardi, Trishuli and Devighat. As of 2014[update], under foreign direct investment, India plans to fund two hydel projects ofUpper Karnali andArun III.[15][16][17] India's aid to Nepal was $142 million this year[which?].
Also in November 2019 PM Modi offers $450 million development, anti-terror aid to Sri Lanka. In all, over $15 billion has been given to other Asian countries, mostly focusing on India's immediate neighbours for infrastructural development.[3]
India provided over $3 billion of aid to the formerIslamic Republic of Afghanistan and was involved in over 400 projects across 34 provinces.[18] These included several major infrastructure projects such as theSalma Dam, the Zaranj-Dalaram Highway, theAfghan Parliament building, restoration of theStor Palace. India also helped build infrastructure such as roads, dams, electricity transmission lines and substations, solar panels, schools, and hospitals.[19][20][21]
TheAfghan-India Friendship Dam (also called Salma Dam) started construction in 1976 but was halted due to political instability. The project resumed work in 2014 and the dam was inaugurated in 2016. India's funds for the dam were nearly US$290–300 million.[22][23] In May 2011, India pledged $500m to Afghanistan in addition to its existing commitment of $1.5bn, acquiring considerable goodwill in that country.
India, in September 2019 announced $14 million grant for community development projects in the Caribbean Islands and expressed support to specialized capacity building courses for professionals in these Caribbean nations. In 2019 India offered aid to hurricane-devastated Caribbean nations through the Indian Mission at the UN and with partners in Antigua and Barbuda as well as Dominica and others an amount of $2 million from the India-UN Partnership Fund for South-South Cooperation for rehabilitation in Caricom. Caricom is an organisation of 15 Caribbean nations and their dependencies.[3]
Apart from financial aids, India has also provided helps in terms of manpower and other supplies to needy disaster struck countries. PostHurricane Katrina in 2005,Indian Air Force aircraft provided 25 tonnes of relief supplies at theLittle Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. It extended similar support post the2008 Sichuan earthquake in China.[24]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)