Fri May 23 13:53:55 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**India Voices Concerns as IMF Approves $2.4 Billion Funding for Pakistan**

**New Delhi – May 23, 2025** – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed the approval of $2.4 billion in funding to Pakistan, a decision that India abstained from and actively lobbied against, citing concerns over Pakistan’s track record and potential misuse of funds.

The funding package, comprised of $1 billion under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and $1.4 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), was approved unanimously by the IMF Executive Board on May 9, 2025. This decision, confirmed by IMF’s Director of Communications Julie Kozack on May 22, was a continuation of a previous agreement, meaning it did not require a vote.

According to sources, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman engaged in significant diplomatic efforts to express India’s reservations. She reportedly spoke with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, along with finance ministers from Germany, Italy, and France, highlighting concerns that the timing of the funding was inappropriate, particularly given recent border tensions and the Pahalgam terror attack. India also pointed to data suggesting a correlation between IMF disbursements to Pakistan and increased defense spending.

India is preparing to submit a dossier to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) before its June plenary meeting, pushing for Pakistan’s re-inclusion on the “grey list” due to non-compliance with anti-terror financing measures. Furthermore, India intends to oppose a potential $20 billion funding package for Pakistan being considered by the World Bank in June. Indian officials argue that the timing and utilization of such funds raise serious questions, particularly in light of ongoing security concerns.

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