Trump again claims $18 mn given to India to help with elections
USAID did not fund voter turnout: FinMin reportAmid a controversy over USAID's alleged role in influencing Indian elections, the latest annual report of the Ministry of Finance has disclosed that the agency funded seven developmental projects worth $750 million in 2023-24 and no funding was made for enhancing voter turnout.
In his speech, Trump also accused India of taking advantage of the US. "18 million dollars for helping India with its elections. Why the hell? Why don't we just go to old paper ballots, and let them help us with their elections, right? Voter ID. Wouldn't that be nice? We're giving money to India for elections. They don't need money," he said.
"They take advantage of us pretty good. One of the highest tariff nations in the world...We have a 200 per cent (tariffs) there and then we're giving them a lot of money to help them with their election," Trump said.
Cong questions govt's silenceThe Congress on Sunday accused the BJP of indulging in "anti-national work" by spreading "fake news from America" and said the government must answer as to why it is silent when US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are "insulting" India repeatedly.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that USAID under the previous administration led by Joe Biden allocated $21 million in funding to India for “voter turnout”, sparking a row in the country over the assistance.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the information put out by the Trump administration people is "concerning" and that the government is looking into it. -- PTI
