Trump Questions USAID’s Role in Indian Election.

Trump Raises Concerns Over USAID's Involvement in Indian Election

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Pinky Deshmukh

Last Updated: February 20, 2025

Summary: Donald Trump hints at USAID interference in India's elections.

US President Donald Trump has questioned the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) $21 million expenditure on election turnout in India. Trump called the situation a "total breakthrough," implying that the funds might have been used to sway elections and that the US should speak with the Indian government.

At the FII Priority Summit in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said, “Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government. This is a total breakthrough.”

After the US government's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire Elon Musk, declared on February 16 that it had canceled $21 million in "taxpayer" funds meant to boost "voter turnout in India," Trump made this remark.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in India accused the DOGE of meddling in the country's electoral process, which set up a political slugfest.

Amit Malviya, a BJP leader, referred to the grant as "external interference" in the Indian elections. He claimed that it was "not the ruling party for sure" and questioned who the beneficiary was.

BJP’s IT department head said, "USD 21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!"

He asserted that the now-canceled scheme served as evidence that the previous UPA government, led by the Congress, had permitted elements hostile to the interests of the nation to infiltrate Indian institutions.