Correct Answer : $2.6 Billion
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed $2.6 billion in sovereign lending to India in 2023, aiming to bolster various sectors including urban development, power, industry, horticulture, connectivity, and climate resilience.
Focus Areas of ADB’s Sovereign Loans :
The loans target projects fostering India’s structural transformation, job creation, infrastructure enhancement, green growth, and socioeconomic inclusiveness, integrating smart technologies and innovations.
Key Projects Supported by ADB :
Funding includes initiatives such as the Visakhapatnam–Chennai Industrial Corridor, urban service improvement in
Uttarakhand,
Rajasthan, and
Tripura, road connectivity in
Madhya Pradesh and
Bihar, horticulture development in
Himachal Pradesh, and expansion of the
Delhi–Meerut rapid rail transit corridor.
Knowledge-Based Support and Technical Assistance :
Beyond financial aid, ADB offers knowledge support through technical and operational studies, aiding in areas like national logistics costs calculation framework and urban sector development strategies for states like Assam.
Private Sector Engagement and Grants :
ADB also extended
$23.53 million for technical assistance and a
$4.1 million grant, alongside over
$1 billion in loans to the private sector in 2023, with grants exempting repayment obligations.
India’s Relationship with ADB :
India, a member since the
ADB’s inception in 1966, remains its largest borrower, receiving loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling
$55.3 billion. India ranks fourth among
ADB shareholders, with the United States, Japan, China, and Australia as the top shareholders.
About the Asian Development Bank :
Established in 1966 with India among its founding members,
ADB operates as a regional multilateral institution, focusing on the
Asia-Pacific region. With
68 members, it provides loans, grants, technical assistance, and equity investments to foster social and economic development, headquartered in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, under the presidency of Masatsugu Asakawa, a Japanese citizen.