Last updated at 10:51 (UK time) 7 May 2012

Department for International Development

The UK government’s Department for International Development (DFID) works in partnership with developing countries to promote development and reduce extreme DFID India poverty.

The UK government is determined to help reduce the inequalities of opportunity we see around the world today. We believe that promoting global prosperity is both a moral duty and in the UK’s national interest.

We will concentrate our efforts on supporting achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, providing people with opportunities to work, trade and save – so they can lift themselves out of poverty, strengthening governance and security and tackling climate change. The prize, in doing so, is huge: a better life for millions of people, and a safer, more prosperous world.

We work with governments of developing countries as well as charities, businesses and international bodies, including the World Bank, UN agencies and the European Commission.

In 2008/09 we provided £5.5 billion of aid to poorer countries. Our budget will increase to £7.8 billion by 2010/11. By 2013, the equivalent of 0.7% of the UK’s gross national income will be dedicated to development assistance, from 0.36% in 2007/08.

DFID’s role in India

India is a key strategic partner to the UK and the largest democracy in the Commonwealth. Britain and India share deep historical, political and cultural links. India is growing fast and is making good progress on tackling poverty. The proportion of people living in extreme poverty fell from 51% - 42% from 1990 and 2005. However, today, India is still home to one third of the world’s people living below $1.25. There is significant disparity between and within India’s states with 65% of India’s poor located in just eight states. Poverty reduction in these states remains critical to global success in meeting the MDGs. Inclusive growth and development is a top priority for the Government of India and we will work in partnership to build on the Government of India’s own successful poverty-reduction schemes.

We are bringing our development partnership up to date. Our programme is changing to focus on India’s poorer states. We want to help unlock the potential of the private sector to deliver jobs, products, infrastructure and basic services. Our support will also be aimed at the poorest women and girls, to help them get the quality schooling, healthcare, nutrition, and jobs which are the key to breaking the cycle of poverty for the next generation. Over time, we want to move from an aid-based relationship to a mutual, two-way partnership on critical global issues, including trade, global growth, climate change, and food security.

DFID works in partnership with the Government of India, state governments, the private sector, civil society organisations, think tanks and other donors. We also work closely with other UK Government Departments to contribute to wider priorities on trade, climate change, infrastructure, research, education and skills.

DFID India has its head office in New Delhi, and state offices in Bhopal and Bhubaneswar.

Statements from NGOs on DFID's aid programme in India

Christian Aid said:

Keeping in view the magnitude and deeper social and structural dimensions of poverty in India, DFID has a strong role to play in working alongside the Government of India and civil society to tackle poverty. Christian Aid sees a very strong argument for continued, targeted UK aid to India, focused on the poorest states and communities, and for robust UK Government engagement with India's Government about the inequalities that cause and characterise poverty there.

Save the Children said:

With such high rates of poverty, there is a strong case for the UK to continue an aid programme, at least in the medium term, that supports the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Without this aid, children's lives will be at risk, and fragile gains in health, education and other areas will be more difficult to sustain. Aid is not a stand alone strategy, but it does play an important complementary role alongside other UK efforts, for example to boost trade links.

Nisha Agrawal, CEO, Oxfam India said:

Oxfam believes that aid is important for fighting poverty and social injustice and should be provided to poor people irrespective of national boundaries since every person has the same right to a life with dignity, irrespective of where they live.

DFID has been and remains a very valuable partner to the Indian people. Through its aid program, DFID has also built strong partnerships in India and together we can also work at the global levels on issues of common interest such as a fairer trading system, climate change, more effective aid and so on.

Amitabh Behar, Executive Director, National Foundation for India said:

Just the simple statistics from any government survey (Arjun Sengupta with 80% at Rs 20 per capita per day or Saxena committee report or even the official poverty estimates) show that atleast quarter of this country sleeps hungry not to mention lack of access to water, sanitation (worst figures globally), health and education.

If you look at MDGs in India, the picture might be reasonable at the macro level but if you disaggregated the data you would find that there are states and communities which really lag behind and 2015 would not change anything for them. Therefore the strategy of working with poorest of the states and also with a focus on social exclusion is crucial for using smaller amounts for greater impact.

For more information, please contact:

DFID India
British High Commission
B 28 Tara Crescent
Qutab Institutional Area
New Delhi 110 016
Tel: (91-11) 2652 9123
Fax: (91-11) 2652 9296
Email: a-dhar@dfid.gov.uk