Bulk of aid went to US health initiatives

UNDER the Joe Biden administration, the US provided $720 million in assistance to India in the past four years, with 64% allocated to health initiatives, mostly managed by the now-defunct USAID, and $20.1 million for democratic participation and civil society-a sector that is currently sparking political controver sy in India over spending on voter turnout, according to an analysis of US government data by this newspaper.

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Ranked between 4th and 5th among 15 South and Central Asian countries, India's share of US aid over the past four years was 35% less than Pakistan's $970 million, and significantly higher than China's $49.7 million during the same period. However, in South Asia, Bangladesh received $1.89 billion, nearly 162% more than India. However, in 2022, India received $20 million more than Pakistan, totalling $250 million in aid, primarily due to post-COVID initiatives.