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“India’s Alleged IMF Lobbying Against Pakistan Funding: The Subramanian Controversy”
“ਭਾਰਤ ਦੀ ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਦੇ IMF ਫੰਡਿੰਗ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਕਥਿਤ ਲਾਬਿੰਗ: ਸੁਬ੍ਰਮਣਯਮ ਵਿਵਾਦ”
ਪਿਛਲੇ ਕੁਝ ਹਫਤਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਭਾਰਤ ਨੇ ਅੰਤਰਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਸੰਸਥਾਵਾਂ ‘ਚ ਲਾਬਿੰਗ ਕਰਕੇ ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਲਈ ਫੰਡ ਰੋਕਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ।
ਇਸ ਸੰਦਰਭ ‘ਚ ਆਈਐਮਐਫ (IMF) ਦੇ 25 ਐਗਜ਼ੈਕਟਿਵ ਡਾਇਰੈਕਟਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇਕ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਮੂਰਤੀ ਸੁਬ੍ਰਮਣਯਮ, ਜੋ ਭਾਰਤ ਵਲੋਂ ਨਿਯੁਕਤ ਹੋਏ ਸਨ ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਭਾਰਤ, ਭੂਟਾਨ, ਨੇਪਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼੍ਰੀਲੰਕਾ ਲਈ IMF ਗ੍ਰਾਂਟ ਦੇ ਨਿਗਰਾਨ ਸਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਦੂਜੇ ਡਾਇਰੈਕਟਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਲਈ ਫੰਡ ਰੱਦ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਮਨਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ।
ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਧ ਕੇ ਸੁਬ੍ਰਮਣਯਮ ਨੇ ਆਈਐਮਐਫ ਦੇ ਪਲੇਟਫਾਰਮ ਅਤੇ ਅੰਕੜਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ “India@100” ਨੂੰ ਉੱਚ ਪੱਧਰੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਿਕਰੀ ਲਈ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰਿਤ ਕੀਤਾ।
ਇਸ ਗ਼ਲਤ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਨੂੰ ਧਿਆਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਦਿਆਂ, ਆਈਐਮਐਫ ਨੇ ਭਾਰਤ ਸਰਕਾਰ ‘ਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਪਾਇਆ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਮੂਰਤੀ ਸੁਬ੍ਰਮਣਯਮ ਦੀ ਨਿਯੁਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਖਤਮ ਕਰੇ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਪਾਕਿਸਤਾਨ ਜਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਹੋਰ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੇ ਫੰਡ ‘ਚ ਨਾਜਾਇਜ਼ ਦਖਲਅੰਦਾਜ਼ੀ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ।
ਇਹ ਮਾਮਲਾ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਕਿਸੇ ਇੱਕ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਦੀ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਗਤ ਗ਼ਲਤੀ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਗੋਂ ਭਾਰਤ ਦੇ ਅੰਤਰਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਅਕਸ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ।
ਅੰਤਰਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਸੰਸਥਾਵਾਂ ‘ਚ ਆਪਣੀ ਇੱਜ਼ਤ ਬਣਾਉਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਕਿ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਗਤ ਜਾਂ ਰਾਜਨੀਤਿਕ ਲਾਭ ਲਈ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰਨੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ।
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India’s Alleged Lobbying Against Pakistan’s IMF Funding
Background
Recent tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly following the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists, have escalated diplomatic and economic friction. India has reportedly sought to influence international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to review or restrict funding to Pakistan, citing concerns over the misuse of funds and Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and financially.
Allegations Against Krishnamurthy Subramanian
Krishnamurthy Subramanian, an Indian economist and former Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, served as one of the 25 IMF Executive Directors, representing India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Allegations suggest that Subramanian attempted to persuade other IMF Executive Directors to block or cancel funding to Pakistan, leveraging his position to influence decisions. Additionally, it is claimed that he misused IMF platforms and data to promote his book, India@100, among high-level officials, which was perceived as an abuse of his role.
These actions reportedly prompted the IMF to pressure the Indian government to terminate Subramanian’s appointment to prevent undue interference in funding decisions for Pakistan or other countries. The controversy has raised questions about the integrity of India’s representation in international institutions and the potential politicization of IMF processes.
India’s Broader Lobbying Efforts
India’s efforts to curb Pakistan’s access to international funding extend beyond the IMF. Reports indicate that India has engaged with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to advocate for a reduction in loans and grants to Pakistan, alleging that funds are diverted to support terrorism. Specifically, India has raised concerns about Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF bailout secured in 2024 and a $1.3 billion climate resilience loan approved in March 2025.
Indian officials have argued that Pakistan’s alleged links to terrorism, particularly following the Pahalgam attack, justify a review of its financial support. India has also considered approaching the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to reinstate Pakistan on its grey list, further tightening financial scrutiny. These moves are seen as part of a diplomatic offensive to pressure Pakistan economically, alongside actions like suspending the Indus Water Treaty and restricting airspace access.
Pakistan’s Response
Pakistan has dismissed India’s efforts as “politically motivated,” arguing that they are an extension of India’s campaign to isolate Pakistan diplomatically. Pakistani officials, including Finance Ministry advisor Khurram Schehzad, have emphasized that the $7 billion IMF bailout and additional climate resilience funding are “well on track” and critical for stabilizing Pakistan’s $350 billion economy. Pakistan has also called for an impartial international investigation into the Pahalgam attack, rejecting India’s accusations of involvement.
IMF’s Position and Actions
The IMF has not publicly confirmed India’s lobbying efforts or Subramanian’s alleged misconduct. However, the organization is reportedly committed to maintaining impartiality in its lending decisions. The IMF’s Executive Board is scheduled to review Pakistan’s progress under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) on May 9, 2025, and consider a new arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility.
Regarding Subramanian, posts on X suggest that India may have agreed to remove him from his IMF role to secure cooperation from the IMF on reviewing Pakistan’s loans, though these claims are unverified and speculative. The IMF’s governance structure, with 25 Executive Directors representing member countries, is designed to balance national interests, but allegations of misuse of influence could undermine its credibility.
Implications for India’s International Reputation
The controversy surrounding Subramanian and India’s lobbying efforts has broader implications. Critics argue that using international platforms for bilateral disputes risks damaging India’s credibility as a responsible global actor. The IMF, World Bank, and ADB operate on principles of economic stability and cooperation, and overt politicization of their processes could strain India’s relationships with these institutions.
Moreover, the removal of Subramanian, if true, may be perceived as India yielding to external pressure, potentially weakening its influence within the IMF. The incident underscores the delicate balance India must maintain between advancing its national interests and adhering to the norms of international institutions.
