Donald Trump Accuses India Of Taking Advantage Of US While Escalating Attack On USAID Funding For India’s ‘Voter Turnout’ (Video) |
The tension between the United States and India escalated as former US President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) over its alleged funding to support elections in India. Trump claimed that USAID allocated ’18 million dollars’ to assist India with its electoral process, a move he deemed unnecessary and unwarranted.
During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, Trump asserted that India did not need financial assistance for its elections, accusing the nation of “taking advantage” of the US. He criticised India’s high tariffs, stating, “They are one of the highest tariff nations in the world. They have a 200 percent tariff, and then we give them a lot of money for elections.”
This was the fourth time Trump reiterated his claims about USAID’s involvement in promoting voter turnout in India. His longstanding grievances with India’s trade practices date back to his tenure as president. He has frequently described India as a “very big abuser” of trade, introducing reciprocal tariffs on imports shortly before meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House. Trump emphasized, “India has more tariffs than nearly any other country.”
Trump Brands USAID As ‘Left-Wing Scam’
Branding USAID as a “left-wing scam,” Trump announced that the agency’s name had been removed from its former building, which would now accommodate Customs and Border Patrol agents. His administration, alongside the Department of Government Efficiency, spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, moved to dismantle USAID, citing misalignment with the administration’s agenda and alleging, without concrete evidence, that the agency’s work was wasteful.
A federal judge recently permitted Trump to proceed with plans to withdraw thousands of USAID staffers from their roles domestically and globally. The US District Court dismissed requests to maintain a temporary stay on the government’s strategy to significantly reduce USAID personnel.
India reacted to Trump’s statements with concern. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the allegations as “worrisome” and emphasized that USAID was permitted to operate in India in good faith, not to engage in questionable activities.
“It’s worrisome, and if there’s something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it,” Jaishankar said during an event.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) echoed this sentiment, calling Trump’s claims “deeply troubling.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that relevant departments were investigating the matter but refrained from making definitive public statements. He emphasized that any premature conclusions could exacerbate concerns about potential foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.
