New Delhi: The issue of foreign aid and its possible use in influencing elections has become a heated topic once again, with former US President Donald Trump stirring the pot. Trump’s recent remarks regarding a $21 million USAID grant given to India have sparked a political firestorm, raising concerns about foreign interference in domestic elections. His claims regarding the funding, directed at voter turnout in India, have sent ripples through both American and Indian political circles, intensifying the ongoing political slugfest in both countries.
Trump’s Initial Comments: Voter Turnout and Allegations of Interference
The controversy began when Donald Trump, during a speech, publicly questioned the rationale behind the USAID’s allocation of $21 million to India for voter turnout efforts. Speaking in a tone of incredulity, Trump asked, “$21 million going to my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India for voter turnout. We are giving $21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too.” His remarks, though vague and cryptic, suggested that the funds might have been used to influence the 2024 Indian General Election, a claim he did not substantiate with any evidence. This public questioning of the purpose of foreign aid, especially in relation to another nation’s election process, drew significant attention and raised concerns about the US government’s role in global political dynamics.
Repetition of Claims and The $29 Million Bangladesh Controversy
For the next several days, Trump continued to repeat his accusations. On February 19, he once again raised doubts about the USAID funding to India, focusing on the reasons behind the $21 million payout. He remarked, “USD 21 million for voter turnout in India. Why do we need to spend USD 21 million for voter turnout in India? I guess they (the Biden administration) were trying to get somebody else elected.” He implied that the USAID funds might have been funneled into efforts to assist certain political parties or figures, possibly even Modi’s government, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Trump also linked the India grant to a similar $29 million USAID funding allocated to Bangladesh, which he described as a “kickback scheme.” In his comments, Trump accused the Biden administration of directing funds to a Bangladesh-based firm that had little history or recognition, thereby questioning the legitimacy of such grants. Trump’s remarks were provocative, insinuating that foreign aid, in both cases, could be a tool of political maneuvering. He declared, “USD 29 million in Bangladesh went to a firm that nobody had ever heard of. Only two people were working in that firm.”
This statement added fuel to the fire and further polarized the political discourse surrounding the USAID program. While Trump’s comments may have been aimed at criticizing the Biden administration’s foreign aid strategies, they also opened the door to debates about how foreign governments, particularly the US, engage with countries like India and Bangladesh and the potential for such funds to impact domestic political scenarios.
The Political Fallout and Reactions from India
Trump’s remarks set off a storm in India, with many political figures and officials expressing alarm over the potential implications of such claims. As the allegations were repeated over several days, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) broke its silence, condemning the allegations as “deeply troubling.” The MEA spokesperson emphasized that the accusations of foreign interference in India’s internal affairs were unacceptable.
The Ministry reiterated that India has multiple departments and agencies that work with USAID, but there was no mention of any direct influence on elections or political outcomes. The spokesperson pointed out that India operates with a high level of autonomy in its electoral process, with robust systems to ensure fair and free elections.
BJP’s Response: Deflecting the Attack
In India, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded strongly to Trump’s remarks. Amit Malviya, the BJP IT Cell head, used the controversy to take a swipe at the opposition and other critics of the party. He highlighted Trump’s criticism of the USAID funding, noting that the issue had become a talking point for opposition leaders aiming to attack the government. Malviya’s response also suggested that the opposition was attempting to make a political issue out of what was essentially a matter involving US foreign aid policy.
By posting a video of Trump’s comments on social media platform X, Malviya questioned the focus on the $21 million in the first place. “For the third day in a row, US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim about USAID funding efforts to promote voter turnout in India... But what does he know about his own country’s spending?” he wrote, attempting to deflect the accusations and shift attention away from the opposition’s criticism.
