Post date: Feb 06, 2012 2:19:59 PM
It was reported in the British daily that the government is unlikely to extend any kind of economic assistance after the Indian Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee had said during a session of the upper house of the Parliament that the country does not need 'peanuts'.
Leaders of various political parties condemn the British government's decision to impose conditional economic aid on India.
NEW DELHI, INDIA (FEBRUARY 06, 2012) (ANI) - Leaders of various political parties condemned the British government's decision to impose conditional economic aid on India.
Reacting over the issue, senior politburo member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Sitaram Yechury said that the economic aid does not benefit the country if certain conditions are attached to it.
"Well, Britain is reacting in typical manner in which the conservative Tory (party) led government would react. They are saying that if you are not meeting our interests, why should we give you aid. So be it. I mean if the aid is only tied and conditional the aid is not going to be helpful to India," said Yechury.
The report also said that the pressure was exerted on the British government after India preferred France to Britain to supply it with 126 fighter jets.
Meanwhile, federal Corporate Affairs Minister, Moodbidri Veerappa Moily came up in defence of India over fighter jet deal.
He also said that no country has the right to curb their business with them.
"I don't think, any country competes with some business. That doesn't mean that you are, you must know that our's is a liberated country. We are no more connected with UK (United Kingdom). You know, the business could not work on monopolies. Business can be worked on a competitive way. Whatever the best quality and whatever the best prices available, we do business. That way one country cannot dictate and say that you do business only with me not anybody else. I don't think it can run. I don't think. Even they would realise. Of course they will put all pressure possible but ultimately we have to deal with thing, you know, what is in the best interest of the country, what is the best quality, what is the best price which is they are come with," said Moily.
At present Britain gives aid worth 280 million pounds to India. As per the report of a weekly magazine, India Today, the economic aid provided by Britain to India, since 2005 helped in the eradication of poverty in the country.