USAID funding for ‘Voter Turnout’ must be probed by Indian Agencies

USAID was initially permitted to operate in India “in good faith” for humanitarian purposes.

However, the recent report from USA suggest many activities may have been conducted “in bad faith,” by people receiving and operating the fund in India.

The Ministry of External Affairs has also labelled the accusation as “deeply troubling,” with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that relevant agencies are looking into the claims.

Jaiswal mentioned that it would be premature to comment further until investigations yield more information.

Shri S. Jaishankar has expressed significant concern regarding allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated INR 180 Crores ($21 million ) for voter turnout initiatives in India.

He described these claims as “concerning and worrisome” and confirmed that the Indian government is actively investigating the matter, which has been brought to light by statements from the Trump administration.

He stated, “If there is something to it, then the country should know who are the people involved in the bad faith activities,” highlighting the seriousness of potential foreign interference in India’s electoral processes.

During a discussion at an event in New Delhi, Jaishankar pointed out that security in today’s digital world extends beyond traditional military concerns, encompassing how narratives and perceptions are shaped through various means, including NGOs and technology.

He warned that such influences could undermine public trust in democracy, calling it a “very dangerous and Machiavellian game”.

This is clear case of interference in Indian Elections. The Election Commission should immediately take actions to book the concerned NGO. The Central Govt agencies must probe the case from all angles.