“USAID was allowed to operate in India in good faith”: S Jaishankar on USD 21 million for “voter turnout” in India.
Controversy Over USAID Funding Allegations
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed concern on Saturday regarding allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated USD 21 million for “voter turnout” in India.
“It would suggest that there are activities which have a certain objective out there, to push a narrative or a viewpoint,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on the USAID row
#WATCH | Delhi: On USAID, EAM S Jaishankar says, "…Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning… I think, as a government, we're looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out…USAID was allowed here… pic.twitter.com/UZT5aimfXX
— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2025
“Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning… I think, as a government, we’re looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out…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 are involved in it,” the External Affairs Minister said.
During the weekly briefing on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, expressed concern about the United States administration’s disclosure of funding in India. Jaiswal said that this information could potentially lead to foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.
Jaiswal clarified that relevant departments and agencies are currently investigating the matter, and it would be premature to make any public comments.
“Now, I read saying so-and-so dealt with USAID or so-and-so. Look, it’s not a question of do you deal with USAID or not. USAID was allowed – has been here historically. But USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities. Suggestions are being made out of America that there are activities which are in bad faith. So, it surely warrants a look,” Mr Jaishankar said.
“And if there is something to it, I think the country should know who are the people involved in the bad faith activities,” He said.
The External Affairs Minister’s comments come on a day the BJP sought an investigation into the alleged US funding of $21 million for voter turnout in India and “kickbacks”. The BJP alleged the money was used to sustain “deep state assets” in India.
The opposition parties of India called for an investigation into the allegations by Trump, despite terming it as “typical nonsense” of the US president. “Even so, the Govt of India should bring out a White Paper at the earliest detailing USAID’s support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India over the decades,” Congress general secretary in charge of media communications Jairam Ramesh on February 20.
Here is a statement issued by my colleague @Pawankhera on the USAID issue on which the US President and the BJP lied brazenly – and that is being kept in the news by the PM's good friend in Washington DC. pic.twitter.com/BsjYWmreE4
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 22, 2025
At the FII PRIORITY Summit held in Miami, Florida on Thursday, President Trump raised concerns regarding the United States’ allocation of USD 21 million for voter turnout initiatives in India. This allocation drew comparisons to concerns raised about foreign interference in American elections.
The Enforcement Directorate and other security and financial agencies are taking the first steps to find Indian people and companies that helped get the now-cancelled USAID’s $21 million to influence voter turnout, according to news agency IANS.
Non-profits, social workers, media companies, and businesses are under the ED’s watch because they’re suspected of breaking anti-money laundering laws in a big international scheme, sources said.
By
