Look 'deep within' before extending package to Pakistan: India to IMF
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri pointed out that several IMF bailout programmes were sanctioned for Pak in the last 3 decades but not many reached successful conclusions
India has urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to look “deep within” before extending its bailout package for Pakistan amid escalating tensions between the two countries.
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Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri made the public appeal on Thursday, a day ahead of a crucial IMF meeting in Washington. “I am sure our executive director will put forward India’s position,” he said.
Misri appeals to IMF
“The decisions of the board are a different matter, you know, the process through which they are made. But I think the case with regard to Pakistan should be self-evident to those who generously open their pockets to bail out this country,” he added.
Misri pointed out there have been several IMF bailout programmes sanctioned to Pakistan in the last three decades.
“You would also have an idea of how many of those programmes have reached successful conclusions."
“Probably not many. So, I think this is a decision (the IMF) board members have to take by looking deep within themselves and looking at the facts.”
IMF and Pakistan
As of March 31, 2025, the outstanding purchases and loans to Pakistan from the IMF stood at 6.23 billion Special Drawing Rights.
The IMF is financing a $7 billion aid package to Islamabad that was approved in September last year.
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The Indian appeal to the IMF comes amid tit-for-tat military strikes by India and Pakistan following the massacre of over two dozen civilians at Pahalgam on April 22 by Pakistani terrorists.