 "US president Donald Trump. Reuters file")
US President Donald Trump on Sunday (February 23) again raised the issue of United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) alleged funding for “voter turnout” in India, asking ‘why the hell’ money was being spent on India.
Trump also stated that the South Asian nation was already benefitting from massive tariffs on American imports.
“Eighteen million dollars for helping India with its elections. Why the hell? Why don’t we just go to old paper ballots, and let them help us with their elections, right? Voter ID. Wouldn’t that be nice? We’re giving money to India for elections. They don’t need money,” said Trump.
It was not clear which “eighteen million” figure was Trump referring to, as an earlier US government report through the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said that “$21 million” was allocated for “voter turnout” in India.
“They take advantage of us pretty good. One of the highest tariffed nations in the world. We try and sell something. They have a 200 per cent tariff. And then we’re giving them a lot of money to help them with their election,” Trump stated.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar reacts to USAID fund row
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar earlier on Saturday said that the reports hinting at USAID’s alleged election interference in India were “concerning” and “warrant a look”.
“Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning. I think, as a government, we’re looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out. USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities; now, suggestions are being laid out from America that there are activities which are in bad faith. It’s worrisome, and if there’s something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it,” the Indian foreign minister said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that the funds may have been used to sustain “deep state assets” in India.
Congress reacts
The opposition Congress party has now demanded the government of PM Narendra Modi take legal action against those interfering in the country’s democracy.
Pawan Khera, a spokesperson for the party, even cited some Indian media reports disputing Trump’s claim, claiming that the funds in fact went to Bangladesh, and not India.
“More Indian news media outlets have fact-checked the claim by BJP and Modi government’s minister as untrue. Funds went to Bangladesh, not India; although India received USAID funds, it was not for increasing voter turnout,” said Khera.