The US President Donald Trump has again more raised questions about USAID’s$ 18 million funding for elections in India. He is putting forth a defense of spending substantial sums of money abroad rather than concentrating on voter participation in the United States.
Trump made the suggestion that India should support electoral processes when he addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ).
” 18 million dollars for helping India with its votes. Why the heaven? Why don’t we just go to ancient paper ballots, and letting them help us with their votes, right? Voting ID. Wouldn’t that be great? We’re giving cash to India for votes. They don’t want money”, US senator said.
” They really take advantage of us.” one of the world’s highest-tariffing countries. We try and sell anything. They have a 200 per cent price. And therefore we’re giving them a lot of money to help them with their vote”, he added.
Trump’s continuing scrutiny of USAID financing across numerous nations follows this criticism. Recently, he alleged US presence in vote results in India.
Even Read:”$ 21 million going to my pal PM Modi”: US President Donald Trump fixes on funds for India for the next day in a column.
Trump also criticized the donation of$ 29 million to a company to improve Bangladesh’s political landscape during his address to the Republican Governors Association.
” 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.
” Nobody ever heard of the company that gave them$ 29 million to improve the political landscape in Bangladesh.” Got 29 million. They got a test. 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 persons. I think they’re really happy, they’re very wealthy. They’ll be featured on the front cover of a very good business publication very soon because they’re fantastic, he added.
Trump even called the money a “kickback scheme”, noting the lack of accountability in its application.
On Saturday, external affairs minister S Jaishankar expressed concern over allegations that the$ 21 million USAID funding for “voter turnout” in India.
Even Read:’ It’s alarming, if there’s something to it, then nation if know’: Jaishankar on Trump’s$ 21 million bank for’ voter turnout in India ‘
” Some data has been put out there by the Trump presidency persons, and certainly, that is concerning… I think, as a state, we’re looking into it. My understanding is that the truth will be revealed. USAID was permitted to conduct good faith hobbies below, but now, suggestions are being made from America that there are activities that are in bad faith. It’s troubling, and if there’s something to it, then the state does know who the people are involved in it”, said Jaishankar.
MEA has furthermore expressed concern over the notes, called the situation “deeply disturbing,” and said that related agencies and companies are looking into the possible repercussions.
” We have seen information about specific US pursuits and money that the US administration has released. These are certainly very deeply disturbing. This has raised questions about potential foreign interference in India’s domestic politics, according to MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal.
