Trump’s Remarks on US Spending in India’s Elections Spark Political Controversy
US President Donald Trump’s recent comment that the US spent $21 million to boost voter turnout in India’s elections has ignited a political firestorm in India. His statement came shortly after a team led by Elon Musk announced the cancellation of the payout as part of a broader crackdown on a US agency providing foreign aid.
- Allegation of External Interference: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the opposition Congress party of seeking US intervention, labeling the payout as “external interference” in India’s electoral process.
- Congress Denies Allegations: The Congress party dismissed Trump’s claims as “nonsensical” and denied any involvement in requesting US support for the elections.
- Lack of Evidence: The US has not provided any evidence to back up the claim of funding for voter turnout efforts in India, further intensifying the political debate.
This controversy has led to heightened tensions between political parties in India, with both sides sparring over the alleged interference.
India Reacts to Trump’s Claims on US Spending in Elections
India’s foreign ministry expressed deep concern on Friday over US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about the US spending $21 million to boost voter turnout in India’s elections. The ministry called the claims “deeply troubling” but stated it was “premature” to comment further, as relevant authorities are investigating the matter.
- Indian Government’s Response: Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the claims were concerning and emphasized that investigations are underway to clarify the situation.
- Trump’s Position on Federal Spending: Trump, following his return to office, established the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) to reduce federal spending and jobs. Doge, led by Elon Musk, has been notably active in cutting funds from USAID, including the $21 million allocated for voter turnout in India.
- Musk’s Crackdown on USAID: Musk, who has criticized USAID, announced cuts totaling $486 million, which includes the voter turnout funding for India and similar projects in other countries.
- Trump’s Justification: Trump defended the cuts, suggesting that India, one of the world’s highest-taxing nations, did not need the aid. He also questioned the expenditure, speculating it was part of an attempt to influence India’s elections.
- Political Backlash in India: In the wake of Trump’s remarks, BJP leader Amit Malviya shared a clip of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi discussing the state of democracy in India, alleging that Gandhi had urged foreign intervention. Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh, dismissed the allegations, urging the government to review USAID’s longstanding support for both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India.
The controversy emerged just a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, where Trump announced expanded military sales and trade deals, marking a significant shift in US-India relations under his second term.
Did USAID Really Donate $21 Million to India?
Despite widespread media reports, there is no confirmed evidence that USAID donated $21 million to India for voter turnout initiatives, as claimed by US President Donald Trump. Neither Doge nor Trump has provided any supporting evidence for this assertion.
- Election Commission Response: India’s Election Commission has not yet commented on the claims. However, former election chief SY Qureshi, who served from 2010 to 2012, denied receiving such funding during his tenure.
- Alleged Agreement with Soros Foundation: BJP leader Amit Malviya suggested that, under Qureshi’s leadership, the Election Commission had signed an agreement with a group linked to George Soros’ foundation, which was primarily funded by USAID, to support voter turnout efforts. Qureshi dismissed this claim as “malicious,” clarifying that the agreement did not impose any financial or legal obligations.
- Clarification by Indian Express: An investigative report by The Indian Express revealed that the $21 million in question was actually sanctioned for Bangladesh, not India. The project was set to run until July 2025, with $13.4 million already spent, according to records accessed by the newspaper.
The discrepancy between the claims and official records highlights the confusion surrounding the $21 million expenditure and suggests that Trump’s remarks may have been based on inaccurate information.