India continues to bat for connectivity. The budget allocated Rs. 100 crores—the same as last year—to Chabahar Port to demonstrate India's commitment. In 2019, India had allocated Rs. 45 crores for the port—which had gone un-utilised. As the pandemic shows signs of being controlled, with the new US administration keen to use diplomacy to reach out to Iran, this might be the opportunity India was hoping for. Beyond just Chabahar, Myanmar ranks high on India's neighbourhood reach out with Rs. 300 crores allocated for aid to the country from the ministry of external affairs budget.
The country—which witnessed yet another coup late Sunday night—has been at the heart of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wooing campaign. The cautious statement issued by the MEA earlier reflects this. The MEA statement noted “with deep concern'', the army taking control of the country. “India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld. We are monitoring the situation closely, the statement read.
In the past few years, Myanmar has become an essential plank of the Neighbourhood First as well as Look East policies of India. To demonstrate its commitment, India has increased the allocation for these in the budget. In 2019, Myanmar had Rs 170 crore allocated to it—an over 50 per cent decrease from 2018. The 2020 budget, however, saw the country get Rs 300 crore. This year too, the same amount has been allocated. The relationship has expanded as, against the backdrop o China playing a vital role in Myanmar. India has also sent 15 lakh doses of vaccine to the country.
The allocations for 2021, largely mirror the amounts allocated in 2020. Nepal has been allocated Rs. 800 as an aid; Bangladesh Rs. 200 crores as its aid package; Maldives has been allocated Rs. 300 crores.
India's commitment to Afghanistan in terms of financial support remains constant and this year too, Rs 400 crores has been allocated. Mauritius has been allocated a reach out of Rs. 1025 crores; Bhutan Rs. 2884.65 crores and Seychelles Rs. 140 crores.
