India Foreign Minister S.K. Jaishankar has expressed deep concern about election funding by the International Development Agency of the United States (USAID). He said that the country has the right to know whether activities are being done with any bad intentions. Jaishankar made this statement at the Delhi University Sahitya Festival.
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Reference given to Trump’s statement
Jaishankar referred to US President Donald Trump’s statement that USAID said to cancel $ 2.1 million funding to increase voter turnouts in India. Trump described it as unnecessary intervention in foreign elections and called the amount “bribe”.
Jayashankar’s concerns
Foreign Minister said:
- Usaid was allowed to work honestly in India, but now the information that has come out is worrying.
- If there was any negative purpose in this funding, it should be investigated seriously.
- The country has the right to know who were associated with this funding and did they have any hidden intention.
Ministry of External Affairs Response
India’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the government is deeply reviewing the funding done by the USAID in electoral activities. This issue has also taken the form of political dispute, where there has been a fierce debate between BJP and Congress.
Trump raised the issue again and again
Donald Trump also raised the subject at a meeting of American governors at the White House and said, “We were giving $ 21 million for voter turnout in India, but what is happening in our own country?” Trump described this funding as non-essential expenses and announced to stop it.
Jaishankar’s comment on Modi-Trump relations
Jaishankar said that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump are strong nationalist leaders. He said, “Nationalist leaders respect each other, as they work clearly for the interests of their respective country.”
What will happen next?
The issue has launched a new debate in Indo-US relations. The Government of India is reviewing the matter seriously and is cautious about potential foreign intervention.
