US President Donald Trump has once again strongly criticized the now-cancelled $21 million USAID fund, initially allocated to improve ‘voter turnout’ in India, calling it a “kickback scheme.” While speaking at the Republican Governors Association meeting in Washington DC, Trump questioned why the U.S. was concerned about voter turnout in India, stating, “$21 million for voter turnout in India. Why are we caring about India turnout? We’ve got enough problems here. We want our own turnout.”
Trump continued to express his disbelief at the situation, saying, “Can you imagine all that money going to India? I wonder what they think when they get it. It’s a kickback scheme. It’s not like they spend it. They kick it back to the people that I would say, in many cases.” He further emphasized his point by discussing the allocation of another sum, $29 million, aimed at strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh, which he also ridiculed, saying, “Nobody knows what they mean by political landscape. What does that mean?” Trump’s remarks were broadcasted on NBC News. In his address, he explained that U.S. taxpayer dollars were supposed to be spent on various initiatives, all of which have since been canceled, including the $21 million earmarked for “voter turnout in India.”
On Thursday, Trump appeared to hint at possible interference in India’s elections, stating, “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 breakthrough.” His statement reignited a political controversy, fueling a fierce clash between India’s major political parties.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya responded to Trump’s renewed attack, accusing the funds of being used to “sustain deep-state assets” in India who allegedly work to “defend and deflect” such revelations. Malviya emphasized that Trump’s comments about the $21 million weren’t a mix-up with the separate $29 million allocated for Bangladesh. He argued that the funds were part of a broader pattern of interference, aimed at supporting deep-state assets in India.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, on the other hand, hit back sharply, questioning why, despite the presence of numerous security agencies, the Modi government allowed such a sum to enter India if it was indeed intended to destabilize the government. Khera remarked, “For the past week, a story has been running that USAID gave $21 million to destabilize the Narendra Modi government. If despite having so many security agencies, Modi government allowed $21 million to enter India, then it is a matter of shame.” He also pointed out the inconsistency in the government’s response, noting that when asked about this funding, the Modi government claimed it was allocated in 2012 under the UPA regime, asking rhetorically, “Did BJP win in 2014 with this money?”
The renewed controversy has sparked fresh debates over the role of foreign aid in India’s political landscape and whether such funds have any influence on elections.
