Australia sets aside A$17.2 mn for India

May 12, 2004

Neena Bhandari in Sydney | May 12, 2004 10:54 IST

The Australian budget for the year 2004-05 has allocated an estimated

A$86.4 million for South Asian countries as Official Development

Assistance, out of which 20 per cent has been assigned to India, to

promote good governance and improve basic service delivery at the

state and community level in the region.

During this financial year the estimated total aid to India will be

A$17.2 million as against A$22.6 million in 2003-2004.

Australia's development cooperation programme with India is being

phased down following the Indian government's decision to reduce its

engagement with smaller bilateral donors, Foreign Minister

Downer said in a statement.

Both Australia and India has already agreed to work on HIV/AIDS,

water supply and sanitation.

Bangladesh will receive 33 per cent, Sri Lanka 27 per cent, Nepal 7

per cent and Pakistan 6 per cent of the total estimated ODA, the

budget announced on Tuesday night said.

In addition, Australia's development cooperation programme will

provide scholarships to a range of South Asian countries, including

the Maldives and Bhutan, in priority areas such as governance, health

and education.

Australia will increasingly work with major multilateral partners to

address the major challenges facing the region, including HIV/AIDS,

conflict and lack of food security, the statement said

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