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View Full Version : UK still donating foreign aid to rising powerhouse India?


Torplexed
06-14-11, 07:44 PM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12607537

In a widely-signalled move, it is anticipated that International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell will announce the amount of aid given to India will be maintained at 2009/10 levels.

But the decision has attracted criticism from newspapers and politicians who say the UK taxpayer does not need to donate to a state that is itself a foreign aid donor, which is classified by the World Bank as a middle income country (MIC) and whose economy is growing at nearly 10% a year.

The Indian military has conducted nuclear tests, the country operates its own space programme and, according to Forbes magazine, it has more billionaires than the UK.

Moreover, India is itself a foreign aid donor, providing more than £300m ($500m) to poorer countries in 2008.

Conservative MP Philip Davies argues the decision to continue funding the country is indefensible at a time when the British taxpayers are experiencing a spending squeeze of their own.Wow. As long as you generous Britons are signing checks to former colonies, could we in the US have some? :D

nikimcbee
06-15-11, 12:15 AM
We need to make a modern version of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHo91px5YTs
Curry for Buna

Jimbuna
06-15-11, 05:13 AM
A bit of a touchy subject here in the UK atm in these current times of austerity as I'm sure you can imagine.

The present governments thinking appears to be that it is easier to buy friendship and keeping these countries onside than having to spend countless sums of money when military action is called for...not that we have much of a military capability anymore.

Personally I'm split but would probably err on the side of 'charity begins at home'.

Nice one Jason...I've never seen that one before but had to laugh at the typical weather conditions as he neared the UK :DL

Skybird
06-15-11, 03:35 PM
Why not? Germany is still donating aid to powerhouse China. :88)

We even increase our debts and reduce our workers' future pensions in order to reward the corruption in Greece.

Jimbuna
06-15-11, 04:07 PM
Why not? Germany is still donating aid to powerhouse China. :88)



As do the UK.

Skybird
06-15-11, 04:25 PM
Maybe we should negotiate a mutual bailout clause between Britain and Germany then. :88) He who goes bancrupt first, gets the other one's jackpot. :up:

If we find one.

Jimbuna
06-15-11, 04:56 PM
It wouldn't suprise me if said jackpot (from either country) turned out to be an 'IOU' :o