Did USAID Funds Influence India’s Elections? – Trump’s controversial remark about USAID money going to India has sparked a heated political debate. Congress accuses the BJP of misleading narratives, while fact-checks suggest the funds were meant for Bangladesh. What does this mean for Indo-US ties?
BY PC Bureau
Congress Demands Clarity from Modi Government Over Trump’s USAID Funding Allegations
New Delhi: The Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), demanding that the Narendra Modi government address former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent claim regarding USAID funding. Trump, while speaking at a campaign event in Miami, alleged that “$21 million was going to my friend PM Modi in India for voter turnout.” This claim has sparked a fresh political controversy, with Congress urging the BJP to clarify whether the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded any voter-related programs in India.
Now US President Trump says the $21mn was going to “my friend PM Modi in India for voter turnout”. https://t.co/V06BdfAm4j (40:10) pic.twitter.com/b7SrlA1FJZ
— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) February 22, 2025
Trump’s Allegations and the Fact-Check
During his speech, Trump criticized U.S. foreign aid spending, questioning why such large sums were allocated to other countries, including India. “Why are we spending $21 million for voter turnout in India? Can you believe this? India! My friend Modi, he doesn’t need voter turnout money,” he said. His comments were quickly picked up by media outlets in both the U.S. and India, leading to speculation over whether American funds were being used in India’s electoral process.
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However, fact-checks by multiple Indian media outlets and the Washington Post have debunked Trump’s claim, revealing that the funds in question were allocated to Bangladesh, not India. According to official records, USAID had indeed allocated $21 million to Bangladesh to support civic engagement and youth voter participation in the lead-up to their January 2024 elections. No such funds were allocated to India.
Congress Demands Answers from the Modi Government
Addressing a press conference, Pawan Khera, chairman of the AICC Media & Publicity Department, called out the BJP for failing to respond to Trump’s remarks. “If USAID funds were directed to Bangladesh to destabilize the government there, does that mean the Modi government conspired against Bangladesh, a country they call a close ally?” he asked.
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Khera further pointed out that USAID has historically funded various programs in India, raising concerns over the Modi government’s lack of transparency. Between 2001 and 2024, USAID disbursed approximately $2.9 billion to India, with nearly 44.4% of the funding received during the BJP-led NDA tenure (2014-2024). This, he said, contradicted the BJP’s stance on foreign funding, as the ruling party has often accused opposition leaders of seeking foreign intervention in India’s politics.
Concerns Over USAID’s Influence and BJP’s Counterattack
This controversy has reignited debates over USAID’s role in India. The agency has funded various government initiatives, including Digital India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and healthcare projects, but concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency regarding how these funds are used.
Meanwhile, the BJP has dismissed Congress’s concerns as an attempt to distract from its own history of engaging with foreign institutions. The ruling party has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of colluding with foreign entities, alleging that the opposition resorts to international narratives when unable to defeat Prime Minister Modi electorally.
MEA Responds: ‘Deeply Troubling’ Information Under Review
In response to the controversy, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that it is examining USAID’s funding activities in India, describing any potential foreign interference in the country’s electoral processes as “deeply troubling.”
The MEA spokesperson said, “The government is committed to ensuring that India’s democratic institutions remain independent and unaffected by external influences. We are carefully reviewing all aspects of USAID funding in consultation with relevant agencies.”
Geopolitical Implications
Beyond the domestic political ramifications, this issue also has diplomatic consequences. The USAID funding debate comes at a time when India-U.S. relations are evolving, with both countries deepening economic and defense partnerships. However, incidents like this highlight the complexities of foreign aid and international influence in India’s governance.
Additionally, the claim regarding Bangladesh has strained diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Dhaka, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has already been cautious about foreign involvement in its electoral affairs. Congress’s suggestion that the Modi government might have had knowledge of U.S. activities in Bangladesh could create further diplomatic tensions.
As the controversy unfolds, the Modi government will be under pressure to issue a clear and detailed response regarding USAID’s operations in India and whether it had any role in the Bangladesh funding. Meanwhile, the BJP and Congress are likely to continue trading barbs over foreign funding, electoral integrity, and transparency in governance.
With elections approaching, Trump’s remarks, though factually incorrect, have fueled an intense political debate in India, one that could shape narratives leading into the next national polls.
