The Union government's policy of blocking foreign aid and the latest bid to obstruct Thailand's efforts to support flood relief programmes in Kerala seem to have upset the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country that has remained a close friend to India. It is reportedly reconsidering its earlier offer of Rs 700 crore for the reconstruction of the flood-ravaged state.
The rethink on the part of the sheikhdom has been necessitated following the Government of India's firm stand that the country need not respond to an offer from any foreign government.
The Centre had recently pressed Thai Ambassador Chutintorn Gongsakdi to keep off events at which Thai companies registered in India were offering funds for Kerala flood relief.
The ambassador had tweeted the other day that he received an unofficial message from the ministry of external affairs (MEA) asking him to keep off the event.
Abu Dhabi has assessed that pressing on with the aid plan might upset Delhi and affect bilateral relations.
The Centre had earlier stated that India would not accept direct donations from any country, but would not mind any from recognised foundations.
The UAE then considered offering the money through the Khalifa Foundation, which is led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan himself.
The UAE Ambassador to India, Ahmed Al Banna, was scheduled to visit Kerala for further proceedings. The UAE had even collected documents that explain the stand taken by the Centre on accepting donations.
Amid such moves, the MEA came up with objections to the Ambassador Gongsakdi's visit to Kerala House along with representatives of Thai companies who had organised funds for flood relief. Gongsakdi posted about it on Twitter: “I've received the polite advice that I should not attend the function at which Thai firms registered in India hands over aid to the government. Let the companies now proceed without me.”
Controversial offer
The controversy on the UAE donation was ignited after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that he has information from business magnate M.A. Yusuff Ali that Abu Dhabi planned to offer Rs 700 crore to Kerala.
The Central government soon responded that foreign aid is unacceptable as that has been the country's policy since 2004. It was then pointed out that the present Union government's disaster management plan allows the Centre with powers to grant an exemption. The Centre then quickly reiterated that any foreign aid is not acceptable.
The Supreme Court also ruled that accepting overseas aid involves government policy and a decision can be taken considering relations with particular countries. The main aid promise in the wake of Kerala calamity came from the UAE.
—via Onmanorama
