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SOURCE: AFI

Renowned English cinematographer and director of photography, Benedict Spence, stirred controversy on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by claiming that India receives “hundreds of millions of pounds in aid from the UK every year.” His post came in the wake of India successfully testing a hypersonic missile, joining an elite group of nations with such advanced technology. Spence lamented that the UK, in contrast, lacks hypersonic missile capabilities and struggles with basic infrastructure, such as large-scale water collection systems.

This rhetoric, frequently echoed by some British commentators, resurfaces whenever India achieves a technological milestone. However, the claim that the UK provides large-scale direct aid to India has been repeatedly debunked.

The UK ceased direct aid to India in 2015 at the insistence of the Indian government, which sought to shed the dependency narrative and strengthen its global stature. Post-2015, financial engagements between the two nations have focused on investments, trade partnerships, and development assistance targeted at NGOs. While the UK government still funds non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in India, these are classified as investments aimed at fostering socio-economic development rather than direct aid to the Indian government.

India’s successful hypersonic missile test has placed the country among a select few global powers, such as the United States, Russia, and China, capable of developing and deploying this cutting-edge technology. The achievement underscores India’s growing technological and defense prowess, which has been a focal point of its aspirations for self-reliance and global leadership.

Spence’s comments reflect a pattern of criticism from certain quarters in the UK, who often invoke the narrative of “aid to India” to question its technological advancements. This narrative has been debunked by multiple sources over the years but continues to resurface, fueled by outdated perceptions and incomplete understanding of the UK’s evolving financial relationship with India.

India’s progression from being an aid recipient to a global technological leader demonstrates its determination to break free from past dependencies. By investing in indigenous innovation and strategic partnerships, India has not only advanced in defense technology but also positioned itself as a key player in global geopolitics.

Spence’s rant may have sparked debate, but it also highlights the need for a clearer understanding of modern international relationships, where India is no longer an aid-dependent nation but a thriving economy with ambitions and achievements that command global respect.