India’s triumphant Chandrayaan 3 expedition has sparked a heated exchange on Twitter after a UK-based news UK Anchor Patrick expressed his view that Delhi shouldn’t be seeking foreign assistance following the mission’s triumph. This led to an array of impassioned online users reminding him of the historical £45 trillion that Britain had extracted from India.
UK Anchor Patrick , if you people had not looted India’s money and Kohinoor, then you would not have even had clothes, you would have gone naked
The controversy began when UK Anchor Patrick Christys, a news anchor at GB News in the UK, extended his congratulations to India for its achievement in landing on the dark side of the moon. He then proposed that India consider returning the £2.3 billion in foreign aid it had received between 2016 and 2021.
I want to extend my congratulations to India for their successful lunar landing. In addition, I encourage India to contemplate the return of the £2.3 billion in foreign aid provided from 2016 to 2021.”
He further suggested that British taxpayers should withhold the planned £57 million of foreign aid intended for India in the coming year.
We should reconsider providing financial assistance to countries with advanced space programs. It seems logical that if a country can afford to launch rockets to the dark side of the moon, it shouldn’t need external financial support,” he added.
Reportedly, India has around 29 million people living in poverty, which is the highest number anywhere in the world according to the UN. Despite this, India holds the position of the fifth largest global economy, boasting an annual GDP of $3.75 trillion. This raises the question – why are we providing aid to economically significant India when its own government should address poverty?” he pointed out, also noting that the UK provides foreign aid to China, which also maintains a space program.
Later, he proceeded to list the UK’s foreign aid allocations to other countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
UK Anchor Patrick shared the video clip on Twitter, commenting, “It’s truly puzzling that we continue to allocate foreign aid to some of the world’s wealthiest nations while there are pressing needs at home.
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These sentiments resonated with several British citizens. One individual remarked, “India has accomplished a lunar landing, yet it received £2.3 billion in UK aid between 2016 and 2021. This raises concerns about our nation’s priorities.
A Twitter user commented, “Simply deduct that amount from the $44 trillion you profited from India. Please return our Kohinoor diamond as well.
Another person agreed, saying, “The UK should rethink providing aid to nations with advanced space programs that can achieve rocket landings on the far side of the moon.
However, these comments triggered strong reactions from many Indians, who were quick to point out the historical exploitation of over $45 trillion during the colonial era.
A Twitter user commented, “Simply deduct that amount from the $44 trillion you profited from India. Please return our Kohinoor diamond as well.
Another individual reminded UK Anchor Patrick, “We appreciate the aid reminder. Now, in line with your own stance, kindly return the $45 TRILLION that you took from us.
Another individual remind UK Anchor Patrick, "We appreciate the aid reminder. Now, in line with your own stance, kindly return the $45 TRILLION that you took from us.
On August 23 at 6:04 p.m., the Chandrayaan-3 lander made a successful touchdown on the lunar south pole, elevating India to an exclusive group of four countries with accomplished lunar missions. Notably, India achieved the distinction of being the first to land on uncharted lunar terrain and perform a gentle moon landing.
