MEA Gets Rs 22,154 Cr In Union Budget, To Strengthen India’s Role In Global South

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has allotted a budget of Rs 22,154 crore to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for fiscal year 2024-25 in the Union Budget, a major increase over the previous year’s outlay of Rs 18,050 crore.

This significant expenditure has emphasised India’s strategic desire to increase its global influence and strengthen its position as a prominent voice among emerging countries - the ‘Global South’.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed the allocation, writing on X, “The Budget provides MEA resources to execute key policies including Neighbourhood First, Act East, Global South, and facilities for Indians travelling abroad.”

The MEA’s budget is systematically separated into numerous categories, including foreign aid, establishment expenses, funding for autonomous bodies and international institutions.

A sizable percentage of the budget, Rs 5,667.56 crore, is reserved for government programs and projects targeted at assisting other countries, particularly those in need of humanitarian relief. This provision also supports foreign training plans sponsored by India’s multilateral and bilateral assistance programs.

Here's a breakdown of the monies distributed to foreign countries:

Bhutan: Rs 2,068.56 crore

Myanmar: Rs 250 crore

Sri Lanka: Rs 245 crore

Maldives: Rs 400 crore

Afghanistan: Rs 200 crore

Mongolia: Rs 5 crore

Bangladesh: Rs 120 crore

Nepal: Rs 700 crore

Mauritius: Rs 370 crore

Seychelles: Rs 40 crore

Chabahar port, Iran: Rs 100 crore

African countries: Rs 200 crore

Eurasian countries: Rs 20 crore

Latin American countries: Rs 30 crore

Other developing countries: Rs 120 crore

Disaster relief: Rs 5 crore

This provision supports India's international and bilateral aid and assistance initiatives for neighbouring and other developing nations, such as those in Africa, Central Asia, South Asia and Latin America. It also includes disaster assistance and humanitarian aid, which will mostly affect Bhutan, Myanmar and Afghanistan.