India, China have resources to tackle poverty, says David Cameron

DAVOS: Observing that countries like India and China have the resources to tackle poverty, British Prime Minister David Cameron today said financial aid should be extended to "broken states" that are facing famine and conflicts.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) here, Cameron said when it comes to utilisation of aid budget, the same should be given for nations affected by wars, conflicts or famines and do not have the chance for development.

"... that is why we have taken our aid budget away from India or away from China," he said.

"Yes, there are lots of very poor people in India and China. But India and China have the resource and ability themselves, if they take the right steps to tackle that problem.

"So, the focus of aid budget I think should be increasingly on the broken states where we can make the biggest investments," the Prime Minister emphasised.

To help lift people out of poverty, many advanced countries extend financial aid to less developed or under developed nations.

Talking about his government's approach, Cameron said it leaves some part of the budget to help conflict states.

"Because I think some of the poorest people in the world are in those states and they don't have any chance of development until you settle some of the basic problems," the UK Prime Minister added.