India Dismisses USAID Allegations: No Foreign Interference in Elections
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In a significant development, U.S. President Donald Trump's comments that USAID funds were used to influence voter turnout in India have been categorically denied by the Indian government. This comes after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding in India has sparked a heated political debate.
Notably, data from the Finance Ministry has clarified that USAID's financial involvement in India is strictly limited to developmental projects and does not extend to electoral processes. However, the Congress party has attempted to use this issue to further its anti-government narrative.
USAID Funding in India: Facts vs. Allegations
The Finance Ministry's 2023-24 annual report mentions that USAID was involved in seven projects in India, with a total funding of approximately $750 million. These projects were primarily focusing on agriculture, water sanitation, renewable energy, disaster management and health. It must be noted, there was no mention of funds allocated for voter turnout initiatives.
Contrary to Trump's allegations, investigative reports revealed that the $21 million in question was actually designated for Bangladesh in 2022 to support political and civic engagement among students ahead of their 2024 elections. Out of this, $13.4 million had already been disbursed before Trump's claims surfaced. Despite these clarifications, Trump reiterated his stance, further complicating the diplomatic situation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly addressed the issue, stating that USAID operates in India in good faith and that allegations of election interference were baseless. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also called Trump's claims "deeply troubling" and emphasized that India's electoral process remains independent and sovereign.
Congress's Role in Pushing Anti-India Narratives?
While the USAID controversy should have ended with these clarifications, the opposition, Congress, has attacked the government, leveraging foreign-backed allegations of electoral interference. Many say, this is not the first time Congress has aligned itself with international entities to push an anti-India agenda.
The OCCRP Conspiracy
Congress has frequently used reports from the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to discredit the Central government and major Indian businesses. These reports, though repeatedly debunked by courts and investigative agencies, have been presented in Parliament to disrupt proceedings. The Pegasus spyware controversy and allegations were both fueled by OCCRP reports, which Congress leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi, amplified to undermine the country's economic and political stability.
Notably, data from the Finance Ministry has clarified that USAID's financial involvement in India is strictly limited to developmental projects and does not extend to electoral processes. However, the Congress party has attempted to use this issue to further its anti-government narrative.
USAID Funding in India: Facts vs. Allegations
The Finance Ministry's 2023-24 annual report mentions that USAID was involved in seven projects in India, with a total funding of approximately $750 million. These projects were primarily focusing on agriculture, water sanitation, renewable energy, disaster management and health. It must be noted, there was no mention of funds allocated for voter turnout initiatives.
Contrary to Trump's allegations, investigative reports revealed that the $21 million in question was actually designated for Bangladesh in 2022 to support political and civic engagement among students ahead of their 2024 elections. Out of this, $13.4 million had already been disbursed before Trump's claims surfaced. Despite these clarifications, Trump reiterated his stance, further complicating the diplomatic situation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly addressed the issue, stating that USAID operates in India in good faith and that allegations of election interference were baseless. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also called Trump's claims "deeply troubling" and emphasized that India's electoral process remains independent and sovereign.
Congress's Role in Pushing Anti-India Narratives?
While the USAID controversy should have ended with these clarifications, the opposition, Congress, has attacked the government, leveraging foreign-backed allegations of electoral interference. Many say, this is not the first time Congress has aligned itself with international entities to push an anti-India agenda.
The OCCRP Conspiracy
Congress has frequently used reports from the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to discredit the Central government and major Indian businesses. These reports, though repeatedly debunked by courts and investigative agencies, have been presented in Parliament to disrupt proceedings. The Pegasus spyware controversy and allegations were both fueled by OCCRP reports, which Congress leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi, amplified to undermine the country's economic and political stability.