New Delhi: The government is unlikely to accept any foreign financial assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala, official sources said on Tuesday, which would rule out UAE's generous aid offer of Rs 700 crore for the state.
The government has taken the considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation, they said, as it feels it has the wherewithal to deal with the calamity. However, the final decision will be taken by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA said that it hasn't got any offer or proposal yet.
India has not accepted any aid from a country or a multinational organisation since 2007 and the policy is unlikely to change now, sources said. Even during the floods in Uttarakhand and Kashmir, the Centre had declined foreign aid offers, they said.
Syed Akbaruddin, who was the spokesperson for ministry of external affairs, had said after the 2013 Uttarakhand floods that India had declined Russia’s offer of help as India has the adequate ability to deal with any emergencies.
Emirates (UAE) had on Tuesday offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) as financial assistance for flood relief operation in Kerala.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, called up Prime Minister Modi and made the offer for assistance, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in Thiruvananthapuram.
The government of Maldives has also decided to donate USD 50,000 (Rs 35 lakh) for flood affected people in Kerala. It is understood that the UN is also offering some assistance for Kerala. However, sources said India is unlikely to accept the assistance.