Why India was unable to stop IMF’s $2.4 billion assistance to Pakistan amid escalating hostilities

India’s abstention at an International Monetary Fund executive board meeting in which the multilateral body approved further assistance amounting to $2.4 billion to Pakistan on Friday sparked a political debate in India amid escalating hostilities between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Opposition leaders, who have so far extended support to the Modi government for all actions it has taken against Pakistan, struck a note of disagreement over the supposed inadequacy of India’s response at the international forum.

Merely abstaining, the Congress party argued, was not enough. “The Modi government has chickened out,” alleged Jairam Ramesh, the communications head of the party. “A strong no would have sent a powerful signal.”

Added Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, “The Modi government was expected to not only vote against but also to lobby with other members to oppose fresh IMF loans to Pakistan.”

The criticism put the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and their supporters on the defensive. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Congress leaders were “indulging in reckless propaganda”. Abstaining, he claimed, is the “only legitimate way to register disagreement” at the board meetings according to IMF voting procedures.

“This was a firm yet mature diplomatic signal, showing India will not support Pakistan’s duplicity – but also will not disrupt global economic order...

Read more