USAID funding reports troubling, probe on: Centre

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday described reports of certain USAID activities here as "very deeply troubling", and said it has led to "concerns" about "foreign interference in India's internal affairs".

MEA's official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said on Friday, "We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain USAID 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... relevant authorities are looking into this matter and hopefully, we can come up with an update on that subsequently."

US President Donald J Trump, in a speech in Miami Wednesday, said, "Why do we need to spend $21m for voter turnout in India? Wow, $21m! I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected."


On Thursday, Trump once again raised concerns over the alleged allocation of $21 million by the US government for voter turnout in India, labelling it a "kickback scheme".

Addressing the Republican Governors Association (RGA) meeting, Trump said, "And $21 million for voter turnout in India. Why are we caring about India turnout? We got enough problems. We want our own turnout, don't we?"