External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar publicly addressed a controversial claim made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a $21 million allocation by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) purportedly aimed at boosting "voter turnout" in India. Speaking at the Delhi University Literature Festival, Jaishankar described the allegations as "worrisome and concerning", marking his first official reaction to the issue that has sparked a political firestorm in India and strained diplomatic discourse between the two nations.
What is the controversy
The controversy originated earlier in February when the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, posted on X that USAID had earmarked $21 million "for voter turnout in India" among other canceled taxpayer-funded initiatives. President Trump seized on this revelation, repeatedly questioning the purpose of the funding during public addresses. On February 20, he suggested that the Biden administration, which preceded his second term, had allocated the money to "get somebody else elected" in India, even calling it a "kickback scheme" without providing specific evidence. These remarks fueled speculation and debate, with Trump adding on February 21, "Twenty-one million dollars going to my friend Prime Minister Modi in India for voter turnout. What about us? I want voter turnout too."
Jaishankar’s response underscored the Indian government’s unease with the implications of foreign interference in its democratic processes. He emphasized that USAID had historically been allowed to operate in India "in good faith" for developmental activities, but the suggestion from the U.S. that the agency might have engaged in "bad faith activities" warranted serious scrutiny. "Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning," he said. "I think, as a government, we’re looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out… It’s worrisome, and if there’s something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it."
Political Fallout in India
The issue has triggered a broader political slugfest within India. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pointed fingers at the opposition Congress party, with BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya alleging on X that the funds were used to "sustain deep-state assets" working to influence India’s elections. Congress, in turn, hit back, questioning the Modi government’s competence in allowing such funds to enter India undetected. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera sarcastically remarked, "If despite having so many security agencies, the Modi government allowed 21 million dollars to enter India, then it is a matter of shame." The opposition also cited a report by The Indian Express claiming the $21 million was actually intended for Bangladesh, not India, under a USAID program called "Amar Vote Amar" (My Vote is Mine) sanctioned in 2022, further muddying the narrative.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier, on February 21, labeled the reports "deeply troubling," with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noting that relevant agencies were investigating but refraining from premature comments. The controversy also spotlighted Veena Reddy, the former USAID India mission director from 2021 to 2024, with BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani questioning her role, though no concrete evidence has linked her to the alleged funding.