On Saturday, February 22, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concerns over reports that millions of dollars were sent to India by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), allegedly to influence elections and increase voter turnout. The claim, initially made by the Doge Department, led by Elon Musk, asserts that $21 million was allocated for "voter turnout" in India—a claim that has been repeatedly emphasized by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Jaishankar’s response
In response to the report, the Indian minister stated that the information shared by the US leadership was "worrying."
“Your security can be threatened without you leaving your house because the thought processes, the influences, the narratives, your morale, your sense of what is right and wrong, are all influenced by your phone, what you read every day, the pictures you see,” he stated this while addressing the audience at the Delhi University Literature Festival.
“… I think some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people and obviously that is concerning,” he added.
“It would suggest that there are activities which have a certain objective out there, to push a narrative or a viewpoint. As a government we are looking into it because such organisations have an obligation to report. And my sense is, the facts will come out,” said the minister.
‘USAID allowed in good faith’
The foreign minister stated that USAID was permitted in India with sincere intent.
“Now, I read saying so-and-so dealt with USAID or so-and-so. Look, it’s not a question of do you deal with USAID or not. USAID was allowed - has been here historically. But USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities. Suggestions are being made out of America that there are activities which are in bad faith. So, it surely warrants a look," he said.
“And if there is something to it, I think the country should know who are the people involved in the bad faith activities,” Jaishankar said.
Allegations by BJP
India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that funds provided by USAID may have been used to support “deep state assets” within the country.
On Thursday, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the government's $21 million allocation to India could be linked to a “kickback scheme.”
As reported by news agency IANS, top Indian agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, have initiated investigations to trace the recipients of American aid in India.
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