Washington DC [US], February 23 (ANI): During his closing speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, US President Donald Trump criticized the USAID’s USD 18 million funding for assisting India with its elections. In response, he suggested the US revert to paper ballots and involve India in its election process, stating, “Wouldn’t that be nice?”
“18 million dollars for helping India with its elections. Why the hell? Why don’t we just go to old paper ballots and let them help us with their elections, right? Voter ID. Wouldn’t that be nice? We’re giving money to India for elections. They don’t need money,” Trump remarked.
Additionally, he accused India of benefiting from high tariffs on US goods. “They take advantage of us pretty good. One of the highest tariffed nations in the world. We try and sell something. They have a 200 per cent tariff. And then we’re giving them a lot of money to help them with their election,” he said.
Jaishankar Expresses Concern Over USAID Funding Allegations
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed concerns over allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated USD 21 million for “voter turnout” in India. Speaking at the 12th International Health Dialogue in New Delhi, Jaishankar emphasized that USAID was permitted to operate in India in good faith, but recent allegations suggest potential misuse.
“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,” Jaishankar stated.
MEA Responds to Allegations
During a weekly briefing on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the US administration’s information regarding funding in India as “deeply troubling,” raising concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.
“We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain US activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs. Relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter,” Jaiswal said.
He noted that making a public comment at this stage would be premature, but relevant authorities are actively investigating the issue.
Trump Questions US Spending on Indian Elections
Addressing the FII PRIORITY Summit in Miami, Florida, Trump questioned the USD 21 million allocated for voter turnout efforts in India, comparing it to concerns about foreign interference in American elections.
“21 million dollars in voter turnout – why do we need to spend 21 million for voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government… Because when we hear that Russia spent about two thousand dollars in our country, it was a big deal. They took some internet ads for two thousand dollars. This is a total breakthrough,” Trump stated.
Elon Musk on Voting Machines
Ahead of the US elections, on October 20, Elon Musk, owner of X, claimed during a town hall in Pennsylvania that voting machines rig elections. According to ABC News, Musk linked Dominion voting machines to Republican losses in Philadelphia and Arizona, questioning their selective use.
“There’s always a sort of question of like, say, the Dominion voting machines. It is weird that you know, I think they’re used in Philadelphia and Maricopa County, but not in a lot of other places,” Musk said. “Doesn’t that seem like a heck of a coincidence?” He advocated for paper ballots and hand-counting votes.
(ANI)
