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Economic Growth
Economic growth drives development. Gains in expanding India's economy were made in the 1990s, but reforms have stalled. Government finances are strained. There are not enough resources for needed investment in physical infrastructure, health and education.
Sustainable economic growth depends on strong financial systems. USAID brings new investors to capital markets, helps state governments forecast and analyze fiscal decisions, generates financing for urban development, and advances agricultural technologies.
Targets:
- Fewer people living in poverty
- More long-term capital investments
- Solvent state treasuries
- Debt markets for urban improvement
Health
India's growing population of more than one billion strains resources and complicates disease prevention. Maternal and child mortality rates remain high. Family planning choices are limited, particularly in North India. Polio continues, and a third of the world's tuberculosis cases are in India. HIV infections are the third most in the world.
USAID activities increase access to family health care, nourish needy mothers and children and boost their resistance to disease, fight infectious diseases and prevent HIV/AIDS.
Targets:
- Slower population growth
- Better maternal health
- Higher child survival rates
- Reduced HIV infection rates
Disaster Management
Poor people are more vulnerable than others to risk. Coping with disasters can be devastating. India's earthquakes, cyclones, floods and droughts kill thousands, leave millions destitute and cause large infrastructure and financial losses.
USAID shares U.S. rapid response expertise and supports community preparedness to reduce disaster effects, closely cooperating with Indian partners.
Targets:
- Community disaster plans that protect vulnerable people
- Readiness for humanitarian relief in an emergency
- Capability to recover from disasters more quickly
Energy and Environment
Indians need better access to clean energy and water. Power is unreliable and financial losses in utilities run high. Water and sanitation systems, especially in cities, are overstressed - raising health risks and making domestic life a burden for women and girls.
USAID is showing that commercially viable power utilities are key to meeting consumer needs and expanding supply. The link between dependable electricity supply and water conservation is being explored with farmers. Activities to promote clean technology in industry and renewable energy continue.
Targets:
- Consistent, high quality power service to customers
- Higher groundwater levels
- Less air pollution
- Less waste of public resources
Opportunity and Equity
Literacy is still low among Indian women. Child mortality is higher for girls than boys.
Between eight million and 10 million Indian children are
out of school. Abuse, violence and disease are a part of everyday life for many of India's poor and most vulnerable.
USAID is creating opportunities for vulnerable people through activities that keep girls in school, return child laborers to places of learning, raise teaching quality, improve the workings of family courts and combat human trafficking.
Targets:
- Higher literacy rates for girls and women
- More child laborers in schools and out of hazardous workplaces
- Better access to justice for women
Partnerships
India and the U.S. aim to work efficiently with public funds and leverage development investments. In the long-term, USAID envisions India's civil society working hand-in-hand with American private partners to solve development problems, without the need for U.S. economic assistance. USAID is testing a new model for achieving development goals. It could become a legacy institution for Indian-American cooperation when USAID finishes its program.
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