Congress Questions Govt For Abstaining, Not Voting 'No' On IMF Aid To Pak

On May 9, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive body reviewed the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) lending program of worth $1 billion and a fresh Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) lending program of $1.3 billion for Pakistan today. On Friday, India abstained from voting on the IMF’s $1.3 billion bailout package for Pakistan. Reportedly, IMF has approved $1 billion EFF bailout to Pakistan despite India’s opposition.

India flagged the use of IMF funding in terror financing by Pakistan, given its poor track record of development and the possibility of misusing the debt financing to fund state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

While Congress General Secretary and in-charge of Communication, Jairam Ramesh questioned India’s stand for abstaining instead of choosing a strong ‘NO’ vote, which would have given a strong message to the IMF against the bailout decision.

भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस ने 29 अप्रैल को ही मांग की थी कि भारत पाकिस्तान को दिए जा रहे IMF ऋण के खिलाफ मतदान करे, जिस पर आज IMF की एक्सक्यूटिव बोर्ड में विचार किया गया। लेकिन भारत ने मतदान से दूर रहकर खुद को अलग रखा।मोदी सरकार पीछे हट गई। वहां एक मजबूत ‘NO’ का वोट एक सशक्त संदेश… https://t.co/CoRaUjRLbQ

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 9, 2025

Read also: IMF Clears $1B Loan To Pakistan; Terror Financing Concerns Emerge

Responding to Congress alleged concern, Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said, “There is No “No” Vote at IMF”, as the IMF does not have a system of casting a ‘no’ vote and abstention is the only option.

Exposing the Misinformation: IMF, Pakistan, and India’s Principled Stand
Once again, Congress leaders like Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera are indulging in reckless propaganda — twisting facts and misleading the nation over India’s stand on the recent IMF bailout to Pakistan.

Let…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 10, 2025

To this, Pawan Khera, AICC Media and public dept chairman, corrects Assam CM by mentioning the earlier use of vote against by India against Zimbabwe explusion in 2025 and also use of against vote by Russia against Ukraine bailout in 2016.

Mr Chief Minister, kindly read this and ask your researchers to find out how many times there’s been ‘against’ vote.

Russia voted against the IMF aid tranche to Ukraine September 12, 2016

India voted against Zimbabwe expulsion on 11 September 2005

CC : Malware https://t.co/cLnKguYSeZ pic.twitter.com/vYuOIRc7Bj

— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) May 10, 2025

Subarmanian Swamy, a member of BJP, who has been critical to PM Narendra Modi and his policies have also questioned India’s stand to ‘Abstain’.

Why abstain ? https://t.co/aC6TF02bCb

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) May 10, 2025

IMF and ‘No Vote’

Whereas the IMF does not have a formal ‘no vote’ policy against bailouts., However IMF Executive Board members can use

• Vote in Favour
• Abstain
• Vote Against a proposal, including loan programs or bailouts

In practice, most decisions are made by consensus, and “no” votes are rare. Countries or representatives that disagree with a proposal typically choose to abstain rather than openly oppose, to maintain diplomatic balance or signal concern without blocking the proposal.