Written question asked by Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 February 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 March 2012. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 6 March 2012 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

India: Overseas Aid

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to stop providing aid to India.

Answer: Last year the Government agreed a radically transformed aid programme in India for the period up to 2015. We will not be in India forever, but we are walking the last mile with them. Our aim, as with all aid, is that it is no longer required.I have ensured that the programme is overhauled to reflect India's rising resources, and to ensure that it represents good value for money for the British taxpayer. Half of our programme is now focused in three of the poorest states. The other half of the programme is focused on pro-poor private sector investment, most of which will be returnable capital and has the characteristics of a sovereign wealth fund, from which India and British taxpayers gain.

Secondary information