An international debate started over American President Donald Trump’s statement on USD 21 million to India for voter turnout. Trump asserted that “we are giving $21 million to India for election; what about us? I want voter turnout too.” BJP is cornering the opposition, considering it as part of this claim.
Two days back, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, announced that it had cancelled USAID funding to India, stirring a massive storm in India. The BJP leader claimed that the Congress party is looking for outside influence to influence India’s electoral process.
But reports say that the amount has been sanctioned not for India but for Bangladesh. According to a report given by the Indian Express, the USD 21 million was allotted to Bangladesh in 2022 as part of USAID’s political and civic engagement.
Records accessed show that out of the total grant of USD 13.4 million, it has already been distributed among Bangladeshi students for political engagement before the 2024 election. This could raise questions on the integrity of the election.
However, an official data source of US federal spending data shows there has been no USAID funding since 2008 for elections and political process projects in India. The opposition is asking to get evidence from the US administration.
Amid this controversy, only two USAID grants were listed by DOGE, both approved by the US Administration for Electoral and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS). One of the grants in which USD 22 million was allocated to Moldova to support its inclusive political process, a project, has been ongoing since 2016. However, the $21 million was cited by Trump for Bangladesh, not India.
Also read: https://theglobalic.com/2025/02/22/new-fbi-director-kashpatel-takes-oath-on-the-bhagavad-gita/
