Saturday, December 17, 2011

charity really begins at home

The UK government has come under some criticism for continuing to give humanitarian aid money to India, a nation that has more billionaires than the UK, with a space programme, an economy growing at more than 7 per cent and the resources to offer aid to countries overseas itself.

SOYMB need not look far for the ulterior motive

With surprising bluntness, the International Development minister, Andrew Mitchell, said the decision to spend £1.2bn over the next five years was part of a broader partnership that included the hoped-for sale of fighter jets to India.

"It's an important market, and for our children and grandchildren, it will be an even more important market," Mitchell told journalists in Delhi. Asked about the strategic goals of Britain's aid programme to India, Mitchell said: "It's about everything I have just mentioned. The focus... is also about seeking to sell Typhoon. The relationship is a relationship you have to take in the round."

The potential sale of 126 EuroFighter Typhoons, made by a consortium including Britain's BAE Systems, is one of two jets that have made the shortlist for a deal worth about £6.6bn.

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