New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has raised concerns over the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocating $21 million to India for boosting voter participation.
Questioning the necessity of the funding, he remarked, “Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have a lot more money.” He also called India “one of the highest taxing nations” and criticized its steep trade tariffs that restrict US market access.
Trump made these statements while signing executive orders at Mar-a-Lago, where he further emphasized his respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi but questioned the financial aid’s justification. “I have great respect for India and its leader, but $21 million for voter turnout?” he said.
Allegations of US Interference in India’s Elections
Trump’s remarks come amid rising scrutiny over USAID’s role in India’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections. During a joint press briefing with PM Modi, senior journalist and Editor-in-Chief of The New Indian Aarti Tikoo Singh asked Trump whether USAID had interfered in electoral processes in both India and the U.S.
In response, he hinted at potential involvement, stating, “It could have played a role. We witnessed alarming incidents in both 2020 and 2024. But the U.S. election was too large to manipulate—though attempts were certainly made.”
Trump reaffirmed his administration’s push for election reforms, including single-day voting, voter ID implementation, and paper ballots, to curb foreign and domestic interference.
Trump Administration Cracks Down on USAID
Amid these allegations, the Trump administration has moved aggressively against USAID, suspending most of its international operations, except for essential humanitarian aid.
Several USAID employees have been placed on administrative leave, while overseas personnel are being recalled.
These actions follow revelations by Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which recently disclosed a list of U.S. aid withdrawals, including the $21M allocated for voter turnout in India. This disclosure triggered a political clash between India’s ruling BJP and opposition Congress.
Disinfo Lab Exposes USAID’s Alleged Influence Network
A recent investigation by Disinfo Lab has shed light on USAID’s deep-rooted financial networks, allegedly designed to manipulate political and social structures worldwide, including in India.
While the agency’s involvement in global regime-change operations is widely documented, its activities within India remain largely opaque.
According to the report, USAID’s funds allegedly flow through advocacy groups, international commissions, NGOs, and even organizations linked to extremist activities.
A key financial conduit identified is billionaire George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF), which has reportedly received substantial USAID grants.
Disinfo Lab’s findings suggest a strategic influence campaign aimed at shaping political discourse, media narratives, and civil society movements in India.
Through direct and indirect funding—via entities like OSF and the Tides Foundation—USAID’s financial footprint appears to be embedded in several initiatives challenging India’s sovereignty and stability.
Growing Calls for Transparency in Foreign Funding
The recent revelations have intensified demands for stricter scrutiny of foreign funding sources influencing India’s domestic affairs. With USAID’s involvement now under the spotlight, policymakers and analysts are urging a deeper investigation into the agency’s financial activities and their impact on India’s political landscape.
As the debate over foreign influence in elections escalates, USAID’s funding mechanisms in India and beyond are likely to face heightened regulatory oversight and geopolitical scrutiny in the coming months.
