ISLAMABAD: India's decision to increase its flood relief assistance to Pakistan from $ 5 million to $ 25 million has placed it among the top 10 countries/institutions which have loosened their purse strings the most to help Islamabad deal with the unfolding emergency.
Initially billed as “delayed and niggardly,” the Indian response now has catapulted the country to ninth position in the ‘Country-wise update of Foreign Assistance for Flood Affectees,' put out by the Economic Affairs Division of the Pakistan Government.
The last update was made on Monday afternoon — 24 hours before the announcement — and as per this list, the U. S. leads the pack with a commitment of $ 200 million, followed by the U. K., Saudi Public Relief Fund, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, Germany, Canada and the United Nations.
With the announcement, India has topped developed countries like Japan, Norway and Sweden, besides China which Pakistan has always regarded as its “all-weather friend.”
China has till date committed $ 9 million and the lukewarm response from Beijing has been questioned by the Pakistani media.
