NEW DELHI: The US President Donald Trump has once again raised concerns over alleged USAID’s $18 million funding allocation for elections in India, questioning the rationale behind spending substantial amounts abroad instead of focusing on American voter participation.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump suggested reverting to paper ballots and proposed seeking India’s assistance with electoral processes.
“18 million dollars for helping India with its elections. Why the hell? Why don’t we just go to old paper ballots, and let them help us with their elections, right? Voter ID. Wouldn’t that be nice? We’re giving money to India for elections. They don’t need money,” US president said.
“They take advantage of us pretty good. One of the highest tariffed nations in the world. We try and sell something. They have a 200 per cent tariff. And then we’re giving them a lot of money to help them with their election,” he added.
The criticism follows Trump’s ongoing scrutiny of alleged USAID funding across various nations. Previously, he alleged US involvement in election results in India.
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During his address at the Republican Governors Association, Trump also criticised funding of $29 million to a firm to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh.
“And $21 million going to my friend Prime Minister Modi in India for voter Turnout. We’re giving 21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too,” Trump said.
“$29 million to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh went to a firm that nobody ever heard of. Got 29 million. They got a check. Can you imagine? You have a little firm, you get 10,000 here, 10,000 there, and then we get 29 million from the United States government. There are two people working in that firm. Two people. I think they’re very happy, they’re very rich. They’ll be on the cover of a very good business magazine pretty soon for being great,” he added.
Trump also called the alleged funding a “kickback scheme”, noting the lack of transparency in its implementation.
On Saturday, external affairs minister S Jaishankar expressed concern over allegations that the $21 million USAID funding for “voter turnout” in India.
Also Read: ‘It’s worrisome, if there’s something to it, then country should know’: Jaishankar on Trump’s $21 million fund for ‘voter turnout in India’
“Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning… I think, as a government, we’re looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out…USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities; now, suggestions are being laid out from America that there are activities which are in bad faith. It’s worrisome, and if there’s something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it,” said Jaishankar.
MEA has also expressed concern over the remarks and termed the matter “deeply troubling” and said that relevant departments and agencies are examining the potential implications.
“We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain USA activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.