NEW DELHI – Indian authorities are investigating claims of U.S. governmental activity in the country, following statements by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) spent $21 million on “voter turnout” in India. The remarks have sparked concerns about potential foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.
The allegations emerged after DOGE, the department headed by Elon Musk, released information showing USAID’s expenditure. Trump, speaking at an event in Miami, questioned the allocation, saying, “What do we need to spend $21 million for voter turnout in India for? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected.”
India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the issue at a weekly news briefing, describing the information as “deeply troubling” and confirming that relevant Indian departments and agencies are investigating.
“We have seen information put out by the US administration regarding certain USAID activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs,” Jaiswal stated.
The controversy has ignited a political storm in India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress accusing each other of benefiting from foreign funds.
However, The Indian Express reported on Friday that the $21 million in question was actually disbursed to Bangladesh, not India, citing accessed documents. USAID has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This issue underscores growing concerns about international influence in domestic politics, with both India and the U.S. facing scrutiny over election integrity. As investigations continue, the matter is likely to remain a focal point in India’s political discourse.