Greater Noida (Dr. Shekhar Suman Sinha): US President Donald Trump on February 20 claimed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funds were being used to interfere in India’s election process and US’s Department of Government Efficiency on February 16 claimed that USAID were going to be spent $21M for voter turnout in India. This claim raised many questions. Who were the recipients of this money? Why does US spend money in India to increase or decrease voter turnout? Why they want to interfere in the Indian democratic election process? Yesterday, Trump said that it’s 18 million dollars to India for elections.
Trump throws a verbal googly and everyone goes into a tizzy in India. The Indian National Congress is demanding a white paper on this issue. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on social media website X, “USAID is very much in the news these days. It was set up on November 3, 1961. Claims being made by the US President are typically nonsensical to say the least. Even so, the Govt of India should bring out a White Paper at the earliest detailing USAID’s support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India over the decades.”
Many questions have arisen after this claim of America on USAID. Why does the US government not provide documentary evidence and order a transparent, time-bound investigation?
Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reveal the truth. He wrote on X, “If Modi does not make a statement denying receiving $ 21 million and sending a Notice of Defamation to US President Trump, then I, in public interest, will send a Show Cause Notice to Modi and file a Criminal case in Court.”
If Modi does not make a statement denying receiving $ 21 million and sending a Notice of Defamation to US President Trump, then I, in public interest, will send a Show Cause Notice to Modi and file a Criminal case in Court. https://t.co/H3L3ruJmLT
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) February 23, 2025
Tump now says that $18M for helping India with its elections. Why don’t we go in old paper ballot. Let them help us, with thr elections. We give money to India for elections, they don’t need money, they take advantage of us.
“$18M for helping India with its elections. Why dont we go in old paper ballot. Let them help us, with thr elections. We give money to India for elections, they don’t need money, they take advantage of us”
Trump again slams USAID funding for India voter turnout. (4th in 4 days) pic.twitter.com/Ti8BmSpYAF
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) February 23, 2025
Now, Indians are raising concerns about many things. They want to know which entity received USD 21 million from USAid? Did they follow proper channel for sending the money in India? If so, RBI and the other commercial banks should disclose the full details. These are electronic transfers. The bank can disclose who were the ultimate recipients.
The US government has put pressure on the Indian government under this strategy. The hidden motive behind this may be to benefit American companies, especially Elon Musk’s company, which has entered in the Indian market. Tesla has started hiring people for operations in India. They want less tariff in Indian market.
Recently, India has shown more interest in the BRICS countries, which have challenged the hegemony of the dollar in the world. Trump seems to be quite upset with India’s stance on BRICS. He wants a West-centric India.
