CLAIM:
Media reports claim that India has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Italian government to suspend all funding to Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian tourists.
VERDICT:
False — The Ministry of Finance has officially denied making any such request. The reports are baseless and misleading.
What’s Going Viral?
Multiple media outlets published stories suggesting that India, amid escalating tensions with Pakistan post the Pahalgam terrorist attack (April 22, 2025), has initiated diplomatic pressure to cut international funding to Pakistan. The articles claimed:
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asked ADB President Masato Kanda during a meeting in Milan to halt all funding to Pakistan.
- Sitharaman also reportedly urged the Italian government to cease all financial support to Pakistan.
These stories circulated widely, suggesting an aggressive international push by India to economically isolate Pakistan.
FactCheck India Investigation
Official Clarification by Indian Government
The Union Ministry of Finance issued a public clarification via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle:
“It is clarified that this news is incorrect and has no basis in fact.”
The ministry also attached screenshots of the misleading articles to caution readers about disinformation.
India-Pakistan Tensions: The Real Developments
Following the Pahalgam attack, India has taken several measurable retaliatory steps:
- Diplomatic downgrading of ties with Pakistan.
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (1960).
- Halt of all visa services for Pakistani nationals.
- Granting the Indian Armed Forces autonomy to decide response strategy.
However, no official international funding ban or request to other countries or financial institutions has been made by the Indian government.
Why This Matters
False narratives surrounding international diplomacy can:
- Stoke unnecessary fear or jingoism.
- Mislead foreign policy watchers.
- Disrupt the credibility of legitimate action taken by the government.
It is crucial to differentiate between assertive national responses and fabricated diplomatic moves.
Final Verdict: FALSE
No, India has not asked the Asian Development Bank or Italy to suspend financial assistance to Pakistan. The viral claims are false and officially denied by the Government of India.