The Trump administration’s recent decision to cut funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has sparked a heated debate, especially after billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk revealed that $21 million had been allocated for increasing voter turnout in India. The move to freeze USAID funds and restructure the agency aligns with Trump’s broader agenda to curtail foreign aid spending and eliminate what he considers unnecessary financial outflows.
On Sunday, the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the cancellation of several international aid programs, including $21 million for voter turnout efforts in India, $29 million for strengthening Bangladesh’s political landscape, and $20 million for fiscal federalism in Nepal. The revelation has raised concerns in India, with key political and legal figures demanding transparency regarding the recipients of the USAID funds.
The disclosure has led to strong reactions from members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and prominent legal experts such as Harish Salve and Mahesh Jethmalani. They have called for a comprehensive investigation into the allocation and utilization of USAID funds in India.
Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed his alarm on social media, stating, “It’s shocking. On one hand, there is global discourse on democratic values, while on the other, there’s blatant interference in democratic nations.” He also questioned the broader allocation of $486 million under the Consortium of Elections and Political Process Strengthening, noting that $29 million had been designated for Bangladesh to “strengthen the political landscape”—a term he suggested could mean attempting to overthrow a democratically elected government.
Economist Sanjeev Sanyal echoed similar concerns, calling USAID’s spending a “scam in human history.” He questioned the recipients of the $21 million for voter turnout efforts in India and the $29 million intended for Bangladesh’s political strengthening. His remarks add to growing suspicions that foreign aid has been misused to influence electoral and political dynamics in South Asia.
Former Solicitor General Harish Salve drew historical parallels, recalling how former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi frequently warned about a “foreign hand” working to destabilize India. He argued that international efforts to interfere in India’s internal affairs are not new but have historically been overlooked. With today’s expansive media landscape and heightened public scrutiny, such interventions are being called out more aggressively.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Elon Musk, who has been tasked with streamlining USAID, noted that a significant portion of the $480 million allocated for electoral development worldwide was directed toward South Asian countries. He highlighted the questionable role of USAID funds in Bangladesh, where the money allegedly fuelled nationwide unrest aimed at destabilizing the Sheikh Hasina-led government. According to Musk, this funding may have supported groups aligned with U.S. interests in installing a more favourable administration, including economist Muhammad Yunus as an advisor in a caretaker government.
With USAID funding under scrutiny, attention has turned to the Congress party, which has long-standing associations with international NGOs. Speculation is rife that USAID funds may have been funnelled to entities linked to Congress leadership. Sonia Gandhi is reported to have connections with a U.S. billionaire-backed NGO, while Sam Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, operates multiple NGOs that allegedly received USAID grants. Pitroda has also been instrumental in organizing Rahul Gandhi’s U.S. visits, which some believe were aimed at tarnishing India’s global image.
The controversy has intensified as Rahul Gandhi, now recognized as the Leader of the Opposition, has launched a strong political offensive against the Modi government. Some view his actions as aligning with external influences rather than policy-based opposition.
In light of these revelations, there is growing demand for a full-fledged investigation into the recipients of USAID funds in India. The Modi-led NDA government is under pressure to conduct a transparent probe and disclose the details to the public. Given the implications of foreign interference in India’s democratic processes, a thorough inquiry is essential to expose any external manipulations and uphold the integrity of the nation’s electoral system.
With USAID’s funding now cut and the Trump administration cracking down on global deep-state operators, India faces a crucial moment to assess the extent of foreign influence in its political affairs. The answers to who received the money and for what purpose could have significant ramifications for India’s democracy and its relationship with global power players.
