AID TO INDIA

That this House recognises that India still accounts for a third of the world's people who live on less than 80 pence per day; further recognises that despite being one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India contains a greater number of people living under the poverty line than the 26 poorest African states; expresses concern that a cut in aid will make it more difficult for the UK to meet its obligations with regards to the Millennium Development Goals; notes that aid has lifted over two million people out of rural poverty since 2005; further notes that the Department for International Development's aid programme in India has contributed to a range of humanitarian goals such as eradicating polio, reducing malnutrition and increasing child literacy; and urges the Government to reconsider its decision to cut aid to India after 2015.