India launches probe into Trump's $21 million USAID funding claim as fresh political slugfest ensues

India has launched an investigation into US government disclosures regarding foreign funding, following President Donald Trump’s assertion that USAID allocated $21 million to influence India’s elections.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has described the revelation as "deeply troubling" and confirmed that relevant departments are examining the implications.

"We have seen information put out by the US administration regarding certain activities and funding. These are very deeply troubling and have raised concerns about foreign interference in India's internal affairs," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Feb 21.

Jaiswal added that authorities are scrutinizing the matter but refrained from making further public comments at this stage. "It would be premature to make a public statement right now. The relevant authorities are looking into it, and we will provide updates accordingly," he noted.

Political fallout in India

Trump’s remarks have ignited a fresh political controversy, with opposition leaders demanding clarity on the alleged US involvement. USAID, the US government’s international development agency, has yet to issue a formal statement addressing Trump’s claim.

The allegations have triggered a war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress. Trump had questioned the purpose of the funds, calling them a “kickback scheme” and stating, “Why are we caring about India turnout? We got enough problems.”

BJP leaders have linked Trump’s comments to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s past remarks about global concerns over Indian democracy. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused Congress of seeking foreign assistance to unseat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “India is an independent sovereign nation. Why should any foreign entity interfere in our internal matters? They cannot defeat Modi ji through their own efforts, so they seek foreign support,” Bhatia asserted.

He further alleged that Congress was attempting to destabilize Indian democracy. “Under PM Modi’s leadership, India has emerged as a global power, and they cannot digest it,” he said.

Congress hits back

Congress, however, dismissed the BJP’s accusations as politically motivated. Party leader Pawan Khera pointed out that BJP leaders, including Union Minister Smriti Irani, were previously associated with USAID. “When Smriti Irani was USAID’s brand ambassador and led protests, was USAID behind those protests?” Khera asked.

He also criticized the BJP for allegedly shifting narratives. “First, they claimed USAID’s $21 million was meant to destabilize Modi. Then, they said the funds arrived in 2012 when the UPA was in power. Did they win the 2014 election with that money?” Khera questioned.

Khera further recalled past anti-corruption protests led by activist Anna Hazare, which contributed to Congress’s electoral loss. “Anna Hazare protested, and our government lost power. Later, he held roadshows in the U.S. and met top U.S. lawmakers. Everyone knows he received funds from the Ford Foundation, and RSS was involved,” he alleged.

He also took a swipe at Modi’s past US visits, saying, “PM Modi went to the US uninvited and kept smiling even when Trump threatened reciprocal tariffs and ending BRICS. And now they accuse us of taking money from USAID?”

BJP’s counterclaim

The BJP, doubling down on its allegations, claimed that the funds were used to sustain "deep-state assets" working against the Indian government. Meanwhile, Trump reiterated his claim that the USAID funds were meant to influence voter turnout in India, calling it a “kickback scheme” without specifying the beneficiaries.

As the controversy deepens, Indian authorities continue their investigation into the potential ramifications of the alleged funding, with both political camps using the issue to score points ahead of the 2024 general elections.