India refuses foreign aid 9-6-2018

6, September 2018              India refuses foreign aid 

In the Indian State of Kerala, this was the time of year to mark the

Harvest festival of Onam with feasts, dancing and boat races. Instead

Nature greeted the residents with torrential rains which may be the

State’s worst flooding in a century – another ominous sign of the

impacts of climate change. More than 1 million have been displaced. The

torrential rains have taken the lives of hundreds with no sign of

retreat.

The Modi finds itself in another embarrassing situation over its lackluster aid to flood stricken Kerala.

The Modi Government doesn’t have the resources or perhaps has chosen to withhold assistance to the ultra-left Kerala government. For decades India has been more concerned with its international image of self-sufficiency than helping its less fortunate brethren.

Foreign governments were quick to offer assistance. The United Arab Emirates offered $100m which the Modi Government turned down infuriating the flood victims. Kerala sought 22bn rupees ($312m) and received only 6bn rupees. The UAE has a long association with Kerala hosting 1m of its people.

Congress member Shashi Tharoor from Kerala was furious denouncing the Modi Government as “churlish and irresponsible” to turn down foreign aid when Kerala’s needs “vastly exceeds anything that the central government can provide”.

Other countries are not burdened with self-pride. Japan, where the GDP is 20 times that of India, accepted outside help following the devastating earthquake in 2011.

With an excess rainfall of 30% in the last two months, there is still no end in sight. Kerala needs all the help it can get. To refuse help from foreign governments is shortsighted and a travesty.