Did US Govt Under Biden Try To Interfere In Indian Elections To Defeat PM Modi? Trump's Explosive Claims

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday made an explosive claim hinting at an interference by the US government under the previous Biden administration in the Indian elections.

What Trump Said?

Addressing the FII PRIORITY Summit, US President Donald Trump says, "... Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government... This is a total breakthrough..."

His statement comes a day after he defended his move to cancel USD 21 million fund marked for 'Voter Turnout in India'.

Trump claimed that India is a growing economy with high taxation rates and that the country does not need such financial support after signing executive orders at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday.

'Why are we giving USD 21 million to India?'

"Why are we giving USD 21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving USD 21 million for voter turnout?" ANI quoted Trump as saying.

The BJP had termed the funding as "external interference" in India's electoral process. "$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India's electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!" said BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya.

Earlier, the BJP leader accused billionaire investor George Soros have links with the Gandhis. "Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process," Malviya added.

His post read: "In 2012, under the leadership of S.Y. Quraishi, the Election Commission signed an MoU with The International Foundation for Electoral Systems-an organization linked to George Soros's Open Society Foundation, which is primarily funded by USAID.

Ironically, those questioning the transparent and inclusive process of appointing India's Election Commissioner-a first in our democracy, where previously the Prime Minister alone made the decision-had no hesitation in handing over the entire Election Commission of India to foreign operators.

It is becoming increasingly evident that the Congress-led UPA systematically enabled the infiltration of India's institutions by forces opposed to the nation's interests-those who seek to weaken India at every opportunity."

In the 2024 elections, PM Modi-led BJP, who was predicted to get a landslide majority, failed to cross the majority mark and fell short of 32 seats. However, the government was formed with the support of the JDU, TDP and other smaller parties.