Washington/New Delhi – Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump called the now-terminated $21 million USAID grant for the purpose of boosting voter turnout in India a ‘kickback scheme’ in his address, increasing already existing political tension between India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party.
Trump’s Allegations
Addressing the meeting of the Republican Governors Association in Washington, D.C., President Trump slammed the very reasons to use taxpayer dollars of the U.S. to influence voter turnout in India. “Why do we care about the turnout of India? We have enough of our own problems. We want our own turnout,” he said. Trump further hinted that funding is usually used for kickbacks, saying, “It’s a kickback scheme. It’s not like they spend it. They kick it back to the people; I would say in many cases.”
He also referred to other allocations of foreign aid, like $29 million to politically rehabilitate Bangladesh, raising questions over the transparency and purpose behind such uses of funds.
Political Repercussions in India
The BJP was quick to respond to this remark of President Trump, suggesting that the funds were put to use in carrying out clandestine operations in India. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, said, “A day after US President Donald Trump spoke about $21 million being sent to India for voter turnout, he has reiterated the charge… This essentially goes to sustain deep-state assets who work to defend and deflect such revelations.”
However, the Congress dismissed Trump’s allegations as rubbish. A party spokesperson, Pawan Khera, challenged the BJP’s narrative, “If having so many security agencies, the Modi government allowed $21 million to come into India, it’s shameful.” He added that if the funds came to India during the UPA regime back in 2012, that raised further questions about what?
Clarifications and Misconceptions
Amidst the controversy, reports have surfaced that there may have been a misallocation of USAID funds. Investigation reports indicate that a grant worth $21 million, which was initially understood as being made available for India, was actually assigned to election outreach in Bangladesh.
Authenticated documents mention this grant having been originated in 2022 for Bangladesh, where $13.4 million of it was disbursed for political and civic engagement among Bangladeshi students in the lead-up to elections expected in January 2024.
Whatever the case, this exposure has dogged the loud call for the entire funding and their beneficiaries to be reviewed to get to the bottom of the matter.
Broader Implications
President Trump’s statements reignite debates about foreign influence in domestic elections. The BJP has often charged opposition parties with seeking outside help to tip the electoral scales. With Trump’s recent comments, the ruling party now has fresh fodder in questioning the Congress party’s motivations and arrangements.
In this respect, the Congress has campaigned for the government to disclose all past USAID funding extended to both governments and NGOs in the Indian context. It says that these disclosures should not only clarify issues but also prevent the propagation of misinformation.
Discussion around the purported $21 million USAID fund thus highlights Foreign Aid along with its many complications for Democratic Politics. Although the investigation is ongoing, it is very crucial for all involved to consider factuality and transparency paramount factors in order to protect the sanctity of democratic processes.
