Trump Alleges USAID's Involvement In Indian Elections By Funding $21 Million Aimed For 'Voter Turnout'; BJP Reacts

Miami: US President Donald Trump has expressed strong concerns regarding the Biden administration's decision to allocate $21 million for "voter turnout" initiatives in India, suggesting it may be a move to sway election outcomes. At a summit in Miami, he questioned the necessity of such funding, implying it was an effort to influence the electoral process in India.

Trump emphasized the importance of informing the Indian government about what he believes to be an inappropriate use of taxpayer money, labeling it a "total breakthrough."

DOGE Discloses USAID's Involvement In Indian Elections

These remarks came after the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, disclosed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had approved this sum for voter turnout efforts in India. DOGE, created as a cost-reduction initiative during Trump's presidency, published a report on February 16 that included this expenditure, although they indicated that all allocations had been revoked.

Furthermore, DOGE reported additional funding amounts: $29 million aimed at "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh," a country that experienced political unrest amid allegations of US interference in its political affairs, and $39 million for projects related to "fiscal federalism" and "biodiversity conservation" in Nepal.

Trump's Address In Miami

During his Miami address, Trump asserted that DOGE had eliminated significant funding tied to USAID's initiatives, referring to them as "lunacy." He claimed that DOGE has already saved over $55 billion within a month and indicated that this is just the beginning of efforts aimed at rapidly stimulating economic growth by reducing the size of the federal government. Trump's words underscore his commitment to fiscal conservatism and scrutiny of international funding practices by the US government.

On February 19, Trump reiterated his viewpoint regarding the allocation of US taxpayer funds, questioning why $21 million was being directed to India for voter participation efforts. He remarked, "Why are we giving $21 million to India? 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? In India? What about voter turnout here?" This statement was made during an event at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

BJP's Response On USAID Funding Allegations

In response to USAID's funding announcement, India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took the opportunity to criticize the opposition, Congress, claiming that the funding was tantamount to foreign interference in India's electoral processes. BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya expressed skepticism about the benefits of such funding, questioning, "Who gains from this? Not the ruling party (the BJP) for sure!" He also accused international organizations of attempting to influence Indian institutions and linked the funding initiative to broader foreign meddling.

Malviya specifically named American financier George Soros, often criticized by right-wing figures for alleged interference in domestic politics through his Open Society Foundations. He stated, "Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process."

Furthermore, he referenced a controversial 2012 Memorandum of Understanding between the Election Commission of India and The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), an organization tied to Soros's Open Society Foundation, as additional evidence of foreign influence over India's electoral integrity. Through these comments, the BJP articulated its concern over perceived foreign involvement in India's democratic practices.