Did FM Sitharaman Really Ask ADB to Reduce Funding for Pakistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The government refutes claims of funding cuts for Pakistan.
- Finance Minister Sitharaman emphasizes economic growth through private sector initiatives.
- Trust only official sources for credible information.
- ADB supports India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
- International cooperation is key to India’s economic strategy.
New Delhi, May 5 (NationPress) The government has declared that allegations circulating on social media about India requesting the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to reduce its funding for Pakistan are completely unfounded and false.
Earlier reports suggested that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during a meeting with ADB President Masato Kanda, made a demand for the bank to decrease funding aimed at Pakistan.
However, a clarification from the Finance Ministry stated that claims of FM Sitharaman discussing any issues related to Pakistan with Kanda are unfounded and false.
A subsequent PIB Fact Check confirmed that this assertion is entirely false and that India has not made any such request.
“Be cautious! Rely solely on official government sources for trustworthy information,” advised the PIB Fact Check post on X.
During his meeting with the Union Finance Minister, ADB President Kanda reiterated the Bank’s unwavering support for India’s development goals, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
FM Sitharaman also stressed that India is committed to fostering private sector-driven economic growth while continually establishing a favorable policy and regulatory environment.
According to the Finance Ministry's statement, “The Union Finance Minister emphasized India’s focus on private sector-led economic growth and has been consistently creating a conducive policy and regulatory ecosystem through significant initiatives such as the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, Corporate Tax Rate Reduction, GST implementation, Production-Linked Incentives, National Infrastructure Pipeline, GatiShakti National Master Plan, and Startup India, among others, to enhance the Ease of Doing Business.”
Sitharaman also highlighted that India provides opportunities for ADB to test new and innovative financing products and models.
“Kanda confirmed ADB’s full backing of India’s development priorities, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047,” added the ministry.
Additionally, FM Sitharaman met her Italian counterpart Giancarlo Giorgetti during the 58th ADB Annual Meeting to discuss ways to bolster economic relations between India and Italy and enhance cooperation on global and multilateral platforms concerning shared interests.