India Questions IMF’s Financial Support to Pakistan

New Delhi : India has strongly objected to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) proposed $1 billion financial assistance to Pakistan, citing fears that the funds could be misused to support terrorism. In a stern message delivered during an address to military personnel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored India’s position that global financial institutions must not extend support to states with a history of misusing such funds.

Singh stated that providing unchecked monetary assistance to Pakistan without ensuring strict transparency and accountability mechanisms could amount to indirect financing of terror activities. “India cannot remain silent if international aid is misused to support anti-India terror networks. We urge the IMF to apply greater scrutiny before extending any financial package to Pakistan,” he said.

The Defence Minister’s remarks come at a time when Pakistan is grappling with severe economic instability and is seeking urgent financial relief from global lenders. The IMF’s proposed assistance is part of a broader economic reform program intended to stabilize Pakistan’s faltering economy, reduce fiscal deficits, and strengthen governance. However, India has raised the red flag over the potential diversion of such funds by elements within Pakistan’s establishment, especially in the context of past incidents where international aid has allegedly been funneled toward non-civilian objectives.

India has consistently maintained that Pakistan continues to harbor and support cross-border terrorist networks, a concern echoed by various international watchdogs and intelligence assessments. Singh reminded the global community of the numerous instances where terror attacks on Indian soil have been traced back to Pakistan-based groups. “The world must understand that providing financial oxygen to such regimes, even indirectly, threatens regional and global peace,” he warned.

India’s objection also reflects growing unease about the lack of conditionality and monitoring in international financial bailouts. Indian diplomatic channels are expected to raise the matter formally with IMF officials, seeking stronger safeguards to ensure that future disbursements are ring-fenced and strictly used for civilian economic recovery.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has denied India’s allegations, claiming the funds are essential for economic stabilization and not linked to any non-state activities.