GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3127

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

US AID TO PAKISTAN

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the US proposes to extend large scale aid to Pakistan;

(b) if so, the details in this regard;

(c) whether India has requested the US to initiate stringent measures to ensure that the funds are not misused/utilized for expanding/assisting terrorist activities; and

(d) if so, the response of the US Government thereto? 

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

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

(a) & (b) The US Government has been extending aid to Pakistan, both for civil and military purposes, from time to time. In its budget proposal for FY 2017, the US Administration has allocated US$ 859.8 million towards “sustaining cooperative relationships with Pakistan and making progress to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida and its extremist allies”. The major proposals include a request for US$ 265 million “to enhance Pakistan’s efforts to increase stability in its western border region and ensure overall stability within its own borders” as well as “its ability to conduct counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations”, and $ 400 million for economic support for Pakistan focusing mainly on areas such as energy; economic growth and agriculture; stabilization of areas vulnerable to violent extremism; education; and health.

(c) & (d) India has consistently conveyed its concerns and sensitivities to the United States government regarding the US security assistance to Pakistan. The United States government has conveyed that it has put in place effective oversight and end-use monitoring mechanisms to ensure that its security assistance to Pakistan is used solely for counter terrorismrelated purposes.