Trump raises concerns over USAID funds, urges India to stay vigilant
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Former U.S. President Donald Trump has accused the Biden administration of attempting election interference in India by allocating a grant of approximately ₹175 crore aimed at increasing voter turnout. Speaking at the Saudi-backed FII Priority Summit in Miami, he questioned the necessity of the funding, suggesting that it was intended to influence India's elections. At a separate event in Mar-a-Lago, he further criticized the grant, arguing that India’s strong economic position and high tariffs did not justify receiving U.S. financial support. While expressing respect for India and its Prime Minister, he emphasized that such spending was unnecessary.
#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
On February 16, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly established body under Trump's administration to oversee budget cuts, announced a reduction of approximately ₹6,000 crore in foreign aid, including the grants for India and a ₹240 crore program for Bangladesh's political stabilization. Since his return to the office, DOGE has slashed nearly ₹70,500 crore in federal spending, cancelling individual contracts averaging around ₹640 crore. Trump has also implemented a near-total freeze on foreign aid, with DOGE head Elon Musk announcing plans to shut down USAID, an agency that manages an annual budget of over ₹3.3 lakh crore for global development and humanitarian efforts.
