NEW DELHI: Donald Trump, the president of the United States on Friday raised the issue of $21 million funding for ‘voter turnout in India’ for the third day in a row and questioned why such substantial amount was being spent abroad when similar efforts could be made towards boosting voter turnout in United States.
Trump also criticized the government’s$ 29 million donation to a company to improve the political climate in Bangladesh during his address at the Governors working program.
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” And$ 21 million will be given to my companion Prime Minister Modi in India for voter participation. We’re giving 21 million for voting participation in India. What about us? I want voting participation too”, Trump said.
Anyone ever heard of the company that spent$ 29 million to improve the political climate in Bangladesh. Got 29 million. They got a search. Can you imagine? You have a small organization, you get 10, 000 around, 10, 000 there, and then we get 29 million from the United States state. That business employs two persons. Two individuals. I think they’re really happy, they’re really rich. They’ll be featured on the front cover of a very good business publication very quickly because they’re fantastic, he added.
Bharatiya Janata Party IT cell chief Amit Malviya shared Trump’s remarks in a social media post on X and took a swipe at the opposition.
“For the third day in a row, Donald Trump, the president of the United States reiterated his claim about USAID funding efforts to promote voter turnout in India. But what does he know about his own country’s spending? ” Malviya said.
This comes as Trump continues to criticize USAID for promoting politics by providing aid to various nations. Trump had before made the claim that the US was attempting to appoint someone else in India.
“$ 21 million for voter turnout, why do we need to spend$ 21 million for voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get someone more elected”, Trump said.
” We have got to show the Indian Government. Because we now know that Russia has spent about$ 2,000,000 in our nation, it was a big deal. For$ 1,000, they purchased some online advertisements. This is a complete breakthrough”, he added.
Trump called the alleged money a return plan a day later, saying that no one had any idea what was happening there.
” And$ 21 million for voter turnout in India. Why are we caring about India participation? We got enough problems. We want our own attendance, don’t we? Can you picture India receiving all that income? When they receive it, I wonder what they think. Nowadays, it’s a commission structure. You know, it’s not like they get it, invest it, and then return it to the sender. I would suggest in many cases, many of these instances, whenever you have no idea what we’re talking about, that means there’s a commission because nobody has any idea what’s going on there”, he said.
Even read: ‘ Greatly troubling’: India investigating US funding statements amid foreign intervention issues, says MEA
“$ 29 million to improve the political landscape in Bangladesh. Nothing is aware of the political landscape they refer to. What does that imply? $ 47 million for enhancing learning outcomes in Asia,$ 20 million for governmental democracy, and$ 19 million for diversity in Nepal. What the devil do I worry about”? he added.
Trump’s claim sparked a political scuffle, with BJP claiming that the money was used to” susten deep-state property who work to support and divert such revelations.”
Even read: Trump admits to ballot meddling in India, BJP stocks PM’s videos to pin blame on Congress
However, Pawan Khera, the leader of the Congress, criticized the administration for claiming that it had received funding from international organizations.
” Selectively, they are saying that the Congress government took cash from foreign funding agencies. Was USAID responsible for those protests when Smriti Irani used to lead the company ambassador for the organization? Anna Hazare, a cultural activist, also staged a protest before our government lost the election, and he then traveled to America and held road shows it. He used to get funds from the Ford Foundation, and RSS was likewise involved, Khera said.
The ministry of external affairs also took note of the US administration’s disclosures about certain activities and funding, including a claim by Donald Trump, the president of the United States that USAID provided $21 million to influence India’s elections.
The issue was described as “deeply troubling” by MEA, and it is being looked at by pertinent government and agency. ” We have seen information that the US administration has released regarding a number of US activities and money,” the statement continued. These are certainly very profoundly disturbing. This has raised questions about potential foreign interference in India’s domestic politics, according to MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal.
