New Delhi: During his closing speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, US President Donald Trump criticised the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for allocating $18 million to support India’s election process. Trump questioned the necessity of the funding and suggested that India, instead, could assist the US with its elections.
“Why the hell? Why don’t we just go to old paper ballots and let them help us with our elections, right? Voter ID. Wouldn’t that be nice?” Trump remarked, adding that India does not need financial assistance for elections.
#WATCH | Addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, US President Donald Trump says, “$29 million goes to strengthen the political landscape and help them out so that they can vote for a radical left communist in Bangladesh. You got to see who… pic.twitter.com/IzgE6NMDiP
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2025
Indian govt examining matter, Jaishankar says
Beyond election funding, Trump also targeted India’s trade policies, alleging that the country imposes high tariffs on US goods. “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 percent tariff. And then we’re giving them a lot of money to help them with their election,” he said.
In response to reports about the USAID’s funding, external affairs minister S Jaishankar addressed the concerns, stating that the Indian government is examining the matter.
“Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning,” Jaishankar said. “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 involved are.”
According to reports, the total USAID funding for voter turnout efforts in India could be as high as $21 million.
Congress launches attack on PM Modi
Meanwhile, Congress escalated its counter-attack over the USAID funding controversy, urging Prime Minister Modi to confront “his friend” Donald Trump and firmly reject allegations of receiving $21 million to “influence elections in India”. Congress warned that failure to refute Trump’s claim would imply its truth.
Congress’s retort came on Trump’s remarks on Friday at the governors’ working session, where he stated, “…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.”
“You (PM Modi) owe a response to the country. Did you or did you not take 21 million dollars from US to influence the elections in India?” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said during a press conference on Saturday.
