these arrangements, the EIB’s funds are utilized to finance investments in countries signatory to
Co-operation Agreements with the EU.
Indo-German Bilateral Development Cooperation
Germany through their Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has
been providing both financial and technical assistance to India since 1958. In 2008, the German
Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) also initiated
assistance under German Government’s ‘International Climate Protection Initiative’, which is an
additional instrument of the German Government over and above and without undermining the
existing sources of Official Development Assistance. Priority areas of bilateral cooperation
between Germany and India include: Energy, Sustainable Urban Development as well as
Environment and Management of Natural Resources.
Indo-French Development Cooperation
The Government of France has been extending development assistance to India since 1968.
However, the major drawback of French assistance was that it was tied to supply of goods and
services from France. The priority areas for the French Agency for Development (AFD)
financing in India are: (i) energy efficiency and renewable energy; (ii) urban infrastructure
(public transport, water, etc.); (iii) the preservation of biodiversity.
Norway
Numerous NGO projects have been cleared with Norway since 2005. Bilateral meetings are
periodically held between senior officials of Finance Ministries of India and Norway.
Switzerland
Switzerland has been extending economic and technical assistance to India since 1964 in the
form of grants and technical assistance. Switzerland had also provided mix credit comprising 40
per cent grant and 60 per cent loans for power sector project.
U.S. Agency for International Development
The United States of America (USA) bilateral development assistance to India started in
1951. US assistance is mainly administered through the USAID. USAID is presently partnering
with the Government of India to strengthen health systems; food security; accelerate transition to
low emissions and energy secure economy; reduce greenhouse gas emissions through carbon
sequestration by forests.
United States Trade and Development Agency
USTDA promotes economic growth in emerging economies by facilitating the participation
of U.S. businesses in the planning and execution of priority development projects in host
countries. The Agency’s objectives are to help build the infrastructure for trade, match U.S.
technological expertise with overseas development needs, and help create lasting business
partnerships between the United States and emerging market economies. Since 1992, the U.S.
Trade and Development Agency has supported over 100 priority development projects in India
with public and private sector sponsors.
Canada