A political firestorm has erupted in India following a controversial remark made by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that his country had spent $21 million to boost voter turnout in India’s elections. The statement has sparked a bitter political debate, with accusations of foreign interference, denials, and demands for clarity as the global spotlight shines on the issue.
Trump’s remark, made last week during a summit in Miami, has raised eyebrows in India’s political landscape, triggering responses from both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress. At the heart of the controversy lies the US government’s crackdown on foreign aid programs, which includes slashing funds from the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Trump’s Controversial Claim
The former US president, who has a long-standing relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stated during the summit that the US had spent $21 million in India to “boost voter turnout.” He hinted at possible interference in India’s electoral process, adding that this expenditure might have been aimed at influencing election outcomes. Trump’s comments were seen as highly provocative, particularly coming just a week after Modi’s historic visit to Washington, where Trump unveiled several new economic and military collaborations with India.
“I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian government,” Trump said, referring to the $21 million expenditure during the summit. The remark, which has since gained international attention, has become a flashpoint in Indian politics.
India’s Strong Reaction
The BJP has seized upon Trump’s comments, accusing the Congress party of seeking foreign intervention in India’s domestic affairs. Amit Malviya, a prominent BJP leader, shared a video clip on social media showing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaking at an event in London, where he suggested that major democratic nations like the US were unaware of the erosion of democratic norms in India. Malviya claimed Gandhi had urged foreign powers to intervene in India’s internal political issues, implying that the Congress had tacitly encouraged such actions.
“We cannot allow foreign powers to meddle in our internal matters. The Congress party should be held accountable for inviting this kind of interference,” Malviya stated in a heated post on X, the social media platform.
However, Congress leaders have rejected the BJP’s claims, calling Trump’s statement “nonsensical” and unfounded. Jairam Ramesh, a senior Congress leader, challenged the ruling party to produce evidence of such alleged foreign funding for electoral processes in India. “This is nothing but a fabrication to deflect attention from the government’s own failures. The BJP has no basis for these accusations,” Ramesh said in a press conference.
US Cuts and the Department of Government Efficiency
Trump’s claim about the $21 million in voter turnout funds is linked to his broader agenda to reduce government spending. After his return to office, Trump launched the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), which is spearheaded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Doge’s mission is to streamline federal spending and reduce the national debt, and one of its most high-profile actions has been slashing funding for USAID programs. Musk, who has often criticized USAID for its perceived inefficiencies, called the agency a “criminal organization” and announced the cancellation of numerous aid programs.
The cancellation of the $21 million earmarked for India’s voter turnout was part of a larger cutback on election-related funding, which also saw the reduction of $22 million allocated to Moldova. Trump justified these cuts by arguing that countries like India, with a robust economy, should not rely on foreign aid for their democratic processes. “India has a lot of money, and it’s one of the highest-taxing nations in the world. They don’t need our help for elections,” Trump remarked.
India Denies Allegations of Foreign Funding
Despite the ongoing political furor, there is no concrete evidence that such a $21 million expenditure was ever made by USAID for India’s elections. Indian authorities have expressed concern over the allegations, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal calling the claims “deeply troubling.” Jaiswal added that the ministry is investigating the matter and would issue a statement once the facts are verified.
“The claims being made by the US president are premature and unsubstantiated. The relevant authorities are looking into this matter thoroughly,” Jaiswal told reporters on Friday.
Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, SY Qureshi, also denied any knowledge of USAID funds being allocated for voter turnout programs during his tenure from 2010 to 2012. He dismissed the allegation as a “malicious” attack on the election commission’s integrity.
“I was in charge during that time, and there was no such financial assistance for voter turnout. Any agreement that was made had no financial obligations attached to it,” Qureshi stated in a press release.
Qureshi was responding to claims made by Malviya, who had suggested that an agreement was signed in 2012 with a group linked to George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, which allegedly received funds from USAID to support voter turnout initiatives.
However, Qureshi has firmly rejected these allegations, calling them “completely baseless.”
The Bangladesh Connection
An investigative report by The Indian Express has further muddied the waters, revealing that the $21 million was actually allocated to a project in Bangladesh and not India. The report cites records that show the money was part of a $486 million grant for election and political process strengthening, with Bangladesh slated to receive the bulk of the funding. Of the $21 million initially earmarked, $13.4 million had already been spent by the time the program was cancelled.
USAID, which has provided election-related assistance globally for decades, has yet to clarify the funding details in response to the controversy. As the investigation continues, political leaders in India remain on edge, with the ruling party pushing for answers from both the US and opposition parties.
The Bigger Picture
This episode highlights a growing trend of political tensions between India and the US, as well as the increasing scrutiny of foreign aid and intervention in the country’s democratic processes. The claim of foreign funding for voter turnout, whether true or not, has become a political tool, used by both sides to bolster their respective narratives.
The incident also underscores the delicate nature of international relationships in the modern era, where remarks by foreign leaders can quickly escalate into national debates with wide-reaching consequences. As both governments navigate this diplomatic tightrope, the coming weeks may bring further revelations, putting India’s political landscape under even more scrutiny.
In the meantime, the question remains: Was there ever a $21 million payout to influence India’s elections, or is this just another chapter in a larger political drama unfolding on the world stage?
