EAM Jaishankar Calls USAID Funding Allegations 'Worrisome', Says Govt Probing Charges

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday responded to the Trump administration's claim that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated $21 million "for voter turnout" in India, stating that the government is "looking into it."

He described the allegation as "concerning and worrisome" and emphasised that USAID was permitted to operate in India in good faith, not for "activities which are in bad faith."

Photo Credit: x.com/DrSJaishankar

"Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning... I think, as a government, we're looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out... USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities; now, suggestions are being laid out from America that there are activities which are in bad faith. It's worrisome, and if there's something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it," Jaishankar stated at an event in the national capital.

The United States Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Donald Trump's close associate Elon Musk, recently claimed on X that USAID had allocated $21 million "for voter turnout in India" but that the funding had now been cancelled.

Trump has repeatedly alleged that the Biden administration had approved this funding.

Speaking at a 'Governors Working Session' in Washington on Friday, Trump remarked: "Twenty-one million dollars 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."

India's main opposition party, the Congress, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, urging it to issue a strong condemnation of the allegation, according to a PTI report.

"The white paper should not only focus on USAID funding but all such agencies which fund both governments, individuals and all other entities under Indian law," stated Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera during a press conference.

Responding to Khera's remarks, BJP leader Ajay Alok countered by stating that the Congress had "probably lost its mind," as reported by PTI.

"We have already shown that the government got USD 2119 million between 2004-14 and just 1.5 million between 2014-25. We are shutting down these things. The Indian government is now acting, the US government has issued a list of who has got the money from where... This is part of a deep state. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was also being funded from this money," Alok claimed.

MEA reacts to DOGE row

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Friday that the reports were "deeply troubling."

"We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain USA activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India's internal affairs. Relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter. It would be premature to make a public comment at this stage, so relevant authorities are looking into it, and hopefully, we can come up with an update on that subsequently," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated.