Trump Reiterates USAID For India's Voter Turnout; Congress Calls It 'Matter Between Friends'; EAM Jaishankar Reacts

The USAID allegedly meant for India's 'voter turnout has hit the headlines another day after US President Donald Trump once again raised this issue during one of his speeches and cleared the confusion over the fund being meant for India or its neighbouring country Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the Congress party called the controversy "a matter between two friends" as it mocked the friendship between PM Modi and the US President.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday during an event called the matter "concerning" and said that the people of the country deserves to know the country should know "who are the people involved in the bad faith activities".

What Did Trump Say?

Donald Trump speaking at the Governors Working Session stated, "And $21 million going to my friend, Prime Minister Modi, in India for voter turnout. We're giving 21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too."

He also mentioned the $29 million USAID fund allocated to Bangladesh to "strengthen the political landscape."

"$29 million to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh went to a firm that nobody ever heard of. Got 29 million. They got a check. Can you imagine? You have a little firm, you get 10,000 here, 10,000 there, and then you get 29 million from the United States government. There are two people working in that firm. Two people. I think they're very happy, they're very rich. They'll be on the cover of a very good business magazine pretty soon for being great," he reportedly said.

Further Trump stated, "The $29 million in Bangladesh went to a firm that no one had ever heard of, with only two people working at that firm."

This comes after an Indian Express report stated that the grant was meant for Bangladesh and not India.

Addressing an event in Miami on Thursday, US President Donald Trump had also questioned the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) funding of USD 21 million for voter turnout in India and wondered whether it was trying to get someone else elected.

Also Read | USAID Voter Turnout: MEA Calls It 'Deeply Disturbing'; Reports Suggest Aid Meant For Bangladesh; Cong Denies

Congress Mocks Trump-Modi Friendship

TDuring a press conference on Saturday, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera mocked the BJP's silence on the issue, dismissing it as "a matter between two friends."

He accused the ruling party of receiving foreign funds and raised questions about where the alleged money was spent.

"Trump's statement proves he sent this money to Modi to influence elections. Since we have been questioning voter turnout trends, is this increase due to foreign funds?" Khera asked.

Referencing a Washington Post report that disproved claims of US funding for India’s elections, Khera accused the RSS-BJP network of making "wild allegations" against civil society while simultaneously benefiting from USAID funds. He noted that USAID allocated $650 million to India between FY 2021 and FY 2024 and questioned the purpose of these funds.

The Congress leader also pointed to previous USAID distributions, linking them to significant political events, such as Modi’s rise as the BJP’s PM candidate and the formation of AAP. "Who benefitted from these funds?" he asked, calling for legal action against those spreading "fake narratives" to mislead the public.

EAM Jaishankar On The Matter

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the information put out by Trump administration people is "concerning" and that the government is looking into it.

During an interaction at an event here late evening, he also said USAID was allowed in India "in good faith, to do good faith activities", and suggestions are being made out of America that "there are activities which are in bad faith".

"So, it surely warrants a look. And, if there is something to it, I think the country should know who are the people involved in the bad faith activities," the external affairs minister said.

Jaishankar during the discussion also asserted that "our idea of security actually has to expand in a tech world".

"I think, some information has been put out there by Trump administration people, and obviously that is concerning. It would suggest that there are activities which has a certain objective out here to push a narrative or a view point.

"As a government, we are looking into it, because such organisations, have an obligation to report. And, my sense is, the facts will come out," Jaishankar said.

"I read, so and so dealt with USAID...look it's not a question of, did you deal with USAID or not, USAID was allowed...it has been here historically. But, USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities.

India on Friday said the revelations about USAID funding for certain activities in the country are "deeply troubling" and have led to concerns about foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in response to a query during his weekly briefing, had said "relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter".