New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS): The external affairs ministry saw an 18.5 percent increase in its budgetary allocation for 2015-16, with embassies and missions getting higher allocation as well as cooperation with the ASEAN as part of India's Act East policy.

In the union budget presented Saturday, the MEA allocation was increased from Rs.12,620 crore to Rs.14,966.83 crore.

Under the head 'embassies and missions', the allocation was increased from Rs.2,021.91 crore to Rs.2,265.01 crore.

International cooperation got an increased allocation - from Rs.302.89 crore to Rs.386.03 crore.

Under the head 'Technical and Economic Cooperation with other countries and Advances to Foreign Governments', aid to Bangladesh has been hiked from Rs.198 crore to Rs.250 crore and to Bhutan, from Rs.4,871.59 crore to Rs.6,160.20 crore.

Under the head 'ASEAN Multilateral', the allocation was hiked from Rs.12,620 crore to Rs.14,966.83 crore.

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, which is also looked after by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, saw a hike in allocation from Rs.99 crore to Rs.118.17 crore.