Despite budgetary allocations falling short of expectations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) does not expect any of its major development projects in the region to be affected, officials told The Hindu. “None of our strategic programmes is affected,” an official said when asked about the Budget figures. India’s development of Iran’s Chabahar has been granted 150 crores this year, up from last year’s allocation of 100 crores. Most other countries on the list, including from South Asia, Africa, Eurasia and Latin America saw little change in the allocations. MEA officials also admitted that the larger economic situation in the country has played a role in curtailing its funding.

Source: The Hindu February 01, 2017 19:41 UTC