Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday raised questions over then Biden administration’s decision to allocate $21 million to India for increasing voter turnout. Speaking at a summit in Miami, Trump criticised the move and speculated whether it was an attempt to influence Indian elections. He said, “Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected.”
Trump’s remarks came after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was reported to have contributed the funds to India, a move disclosed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting agency set up by Trump. According to DOGE’s February 16 announcement, the $21 million allocation was listed among several questionable expenditures of taxpayer money and has since been cancelled.
#WATCH | Miami, Florida | Addressing the FII PRIORITY Summit, US President Donald Trump says, “… 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… pic.twitter.com/oxmk6268oW
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2025
What DOGE report stated
The DOGE report also highlighted $29 million earmarked for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh” and $39 million for projects like “fiscal federalism” and “biodiversity conservation” in Nepal. DOGE claims to have already saved over $55 billion by eliminating such spending.
During his speech, Trump praised the DOGE for its efforts, said, “In less than a single month, DOGE has already saved over $55 billion—and we’re just getting started. We will rapidly grow our economy by dramatically shrinking the federal government.”
Trump also criticized India’s economic policies, pointing to high tariffs and taxation. “India has a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us. Giving $21 million for voter turnout in India? What about voter turnout here?” he said during an event at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
BJP reacts to US aid
In India, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a stance against the US grant, accusing it of interfering in India’s electoral process. BJP leader Amit Malviya questioned the motive behind the funding, saying, “Who gains from this? Not the ruling party (the BJP), for sure!”
Malviya also linked the funding to alleged foreign interference in Indian institutions, particularly pointing fingers at Hungarian-born US financier George Soros. Soros, who has been accused by right-wing leaders globally of influencing politics through his Open Society Foundations, was described by Malviya as a “known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis.”
The BJP leader also flagged a 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Election Commission of India and The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), an organization allegedly linked to Soros’s foundation.
Malviya claimed this funding and international involvement were attempts to undermine India’s democratic process, accusing foreign entities of “systematic infiltration” of Indian institutions.
