'They were trying to get someone else elected': Trump hints at election meddling by USAID in India

US President Donald Trump has once again questioned the Biden administration’s move to provide $21 million to India for "voter turnout" and hinted at the interference of the United States in the Indian general election in 2024.

#WATCH | Miami, Florida | Addressing the FII PRIORITY Summit, US President Donald Trump says, "... Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government... This is a total… pic.twitter.com/oxmk6268oW

— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025

While speaking in Miami, Trump said that the previous Biden administration was “trying to get somebody else elected” in the 2024 elections in India.

Speaking at the FII Priority Summit in Florida’s Miami, US President Donald Trump said, “Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they [Biden administration] were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian government. This is a total breakthrough.”

His remarks came days after the US Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) disclosed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was giving $21 million to boost “voter turnout” in India.

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In a similar remark on Tuesday, he questioned why the US is giving $21 million to India amid high import tariffs in the country.

“Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest-taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout?” he said.

Doge also stated that $29 million was allocated to “strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh,” which faced political turmoil last year amid allegations of US involvement in Sheikh Hasina’s removal. Additionally, $39 million was set aside for “fiscal federalism” and “biodiversity conservation” in Nepal, along with other international funding.