Committee announces inquiry into the Future of DFID's Programme in India

India is the world’s fourth largest economy, based on purchasing power, and has qualified as a middle income country since 2007. India is now also an aid donor in its own right. However despite its impressive economic growth rates, India remains home to over 400 million or one third of the world’s poorest people living on less than $1.25 per day. India also has high rates of maternal and infant mortality.

The Department for International Development’s (DFID) will provide India with £825 million for the period 2008-2011 making it DFID’s largest bilateral programme. DFID’s programme aims to help India reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). DFID works at the national level and in focus states with high levels of poverty. DFID is the largest donor in India.

India is a member of the Commonwealth, and has a strong relationship with the UK including through the UN, the G20, the World Trade Organisation and the international financial institutions and regional banks.

In June 2010 DFID announced a review of all its bilateral programmes. It intends to focus on fewer countries and to ensure that aid is targeted where it can do most good.

Invitation to submit Written Evidence

The Committee invites written evidence on the following points:

• Whether DFID’s programme in India has had a significant effect on reducing poverty and meeting the MDGs at national and state levels;
• DFID’s ability to act as a catalyst for other donors, to demonstrate best practice and influence wider development outcomes in India;
• What should DFID’s role be in the wider relationship between the UK and India?

The deadline for submitting written evidence is 22 November 2010. Individuals and organisations interested in giving written evidence may find the detailed guidance for evidence to House of Commons Select Committees particularly useful.