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There is a political storm in India after former U. S. President Donald Trump falsely claimed that the U. S. spent $21 million to get out the vote in India's elections. His comments have sparked a fiery debate between India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress Party, with both sides hurling accusations.
The Congress party has denied all such allegations and called Trump’s assertion “nonsensical” also asking for proof of any allegations of funding. The United States so far has not publicly presented any material evidence of support for the accusation.
Report has prompted concerns of impact on diplomatic relationships between the nations, especially as India has a history of noninterference in its elections.
Musk has repeatedly attacked USAID, calling it a “criminal organization,” and has announced rounds of funding cuts. The biggest was to pull the plug on $486 million worth of funding for the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.” That included $21 million that was apparently earmarked for voter turnout efforts in India and $22 million for similar efforts in Moldova.
(Trump defended these cuts on the rather spurious grounds that India is a rich country with high tax revenues and U.S. support for its electoral process is therefore unnecessary.)
“I guess they were trying to elect somebody else. We have to tell the Indian government,” Trump said, leading to even more speculation and debate in India.
Malviya, in his X (formerly Twitter) post, accused Gandhi of seeking the intervention of foreign powers, including the U.S. and Europe, into India’s internal matters. This claim is in agreement with BJP's narrative over the years that Congress invited foreign forces into Indian politics.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed these allegations as groundless. He called on the government to furnish, in a transparent manner, USAID’s role in funding governmental and non-governmental institutions in India throughout Modi’s tenure.
The Election Commission of India has remained silent on the allegations, although former Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureshi has categorically denied receiving such funds. Qureshi, who served from 2010 to 2012, denied that the commission had financial connections with USAID.
Malviya had also alleged that the Election Commission, in 2012, under Qureshi, signed an agreement with an agency and a signed document mentioned the agency with George Soros’ foundation, claiming that it was financed by USAID to push for a voter turnout campaign. But Qureshi dismissed that as “malicious” and said the agreement created “no financial or legal obligation on either side.”
On Friday The Indian Express published an investigative piece suggesting that the $21 million mentioned was actually intended for Bangladesh, not India. The report said the money was intended to be spent over three years, with a deadline of July 2025, and $13.4 million of it had already been spent.
For now, the question is still a political flash point in India, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party trying to use it to attack the opposition and Congress dismissing it as a mere distraction. It remains unclear if the Indian government will take further action, or let the dust settle on the matter.
Trump's Controversial Claim
Trump made his statement days after Elon Musk’s team announced it had canceled a payout in a sweep of a U.S. agency providing foreign aid. The claim has caught fire in India, with the ruling BJP demanding to know why the congress is seeking “external interference” by US in India’s democratic process.The Congress party has denied all such allegations and called Trump’s assertion “nonsensical” also asking for proof of any allegations of funding. The United States so far has not publicly presented any material evidence of support for the accusation.
India’s Response: “Deeply Troubling”
India’s foreign ministry quickly responded, calling the allegations “deeply troubling.” It was too early to make any public statements, and the relevant authorities were examining the matter, said foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.Report has prompted concerns of impact on diplomatic relationships between the nations, especially as India has a history of noninterference in its elections.
The Crackdown on Foreign Aid
Shortly after taking office, the new Trump administration established the Department of Government Efficiency — or Doge (after the popular meme) — to be run by Elon Musk and focused on reducing federal spending and lowering the national debt. One of its key targets has been the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, which has dispensed humanitarian and development assistance around the world since the 1960s.Musk has repeatedly attacked USAID, calling it a “criminal organization,” and has announced rounds of funding cuts. The biggest was to pull the plug on $486 million worth of funding for the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.” That included $21 million that was apparently earmarked for voter turnout efforts in India and $22 million for similar efforts in Moldova.
(Trump defended these cuts on the rather spurious grounds that India is a rich country with high tax revenues and U.S. support for its electoral process is therefore unnecessary.)
Trump Doubles Down on Claims
Trump repeated his claims at a summit in Miami, where he asked why $21 million was spent on voter turnout efforts in India. His remarks were made a week after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to Washington, where both leaders discussed expanded military sales, energy exports and a possible trading deal.“I guess they were trying to elect somebody else. We have to tell the Indian government,” Trump said, leading to even more speculation and debate in India.
Political Blame Game: BJP Vs Congress
In response to Trump's remarks, BJP's Amit Malviya revived an old row involving Congress strongman Rahul Gandhi. Before the 2024 general election, he claimed that the state of democracy in India was deplorable and shared a video clip of Gandhi speaking in London.Malviya, in his X (formerly Twitter) post, accused Gandhi of seeking the intervention of foreign powers, including the U.S. and Europe, into India’s internal matters. This claim is in agreement with BJP's narrative over the years that Congress invited foreign forces into Indian politics.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed these allegations as groundless. He called on the government to furnish, in a transparent manner, USAID’s role in funding governmental and non-governmental institutions in India throughout Modi’s tenure.
Did USAID Really Finance Elections in India?
Despite this being reported widely, neither Doge nor Trump has provided any evidence to support that USAID actually funneled $21m into voter turnout efforts in India.The Election Commission of India has remained silent on the allegations, although former Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureshi has categorically denied receiving such funds. Qureshi, who served from 2010 to 2012, denied that the commission had financial connections with USAID.
Malviya had also alleged that the Election Commission, in 2012, under Qureshi, signed an agreement with an agency and a signed document mentioned the agency with George Soros’ foundation, claiming that it was financed by USAID to push for a voter turnout campaign. But Qureshi dismissed that as “malicious” and said the agreement created “no financial or legal obligation on either side.”
On Friday The Indian Express published an investigative piece suggesting that the $21 million mentioned was actually intended for Bangladesh, not India. The report said the money was intended to be spent over three years, with a deadline of July 2025, and $13.4 million of it had already been spent.
The Bigger Picture
Although the controversy remains, the absence of tangible evidence casts doubt on the credibility of Trump’s claim. If, per reports, the funding was intended for Bangladesh, it underscores the perils of misinformation when it comes to diplomatic relations.For now, the question is still a political flash point in India, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party trying to use it to attack the opposition and Congress dismissing it as a mere distraction. It remains unclear if the Indian government will take further action, or let the dust settle on the matter.
