US President Donald Trump has ramped up his attack on USAID funds given to India, claiming the grant is misused to boost voter turnout in Indian elections.
Trump alleged that the US provided “18 million dollars” to India to assist with its election, adding, "Giving money to India for elections. Well, they don’t need money. They take advantage of us. They are one of the highest tariffs nations in the world. They have a 200 per cent tariff, and then we give them a lot of money for elections.”
The president has repeatedly questioned the rationale behind the funding.
On February 19, he remarked that the US "can hardly get in there" because of high tariffs, and later insinuated that the previous Biden administration’s grant was intended to meddle in elections.
Trump further escalated the issue on Saturday when he mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time in this context, stating, "$21 million going to my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India for voter turnout. We are giving $21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too."
At a Republican governors' conference on Friday, he reiterated his claims, labelling the funding a "kickback scheme". "USD 21 million for voter turnout in India. Why are we caring about India turnout? We got enough problems... it's a kickback scheme, you know," he said.
This marks the fourth time in five days that Trump has revisited his claims regarding USAID's role in funding electoral activities in India, a charge that continues to fuel political debate in the US.
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