Following Donald Trump’s claims about voter influence in India, Congress seeks transparency on USAID funding and accuses BJP of links to foreign interference.
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — A fierce war of words has erupted between the Congress Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s comments on the use of USAID to allegedly influence voter turnout in India. Following the Trump’s Comments, Congress has demanded Modi government to release a white paper detailing the flow of US aid over the past decade, with claims of external interference in India’s elections.
In the aftermath of Trump’s statement, which suggested the US had spent millions of dollars to influence the Indian electoral process, the Congress Party has called on the government to provide transparency regarding financial support from USAID to both governmental and non-governmental organisations in India. The call comes as part of an ongoing effort to probe the alleged use of foreign aid in boosting voter turnout and swaying the electorate ahead of Indian elections.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress’s communication in-charge and general secretary, refuted Trump’s allegations, labelling them as baseless. He called for an official government response to the claims, demanding the immediate release of a white paper outlining USAID’s support to both governmental and non-governmental entities over the past decade. Ramesh pointed out that USAID, established in 1961, has been instrumental in development and humanitarian assistance in India. “It’s essential that the government clarifies the scope and scale of this aid, which has been a crucial part of India’s progress over the years,” he said.
“While we dismiss Trump’s allegations, the Modi government should make clear how much financial assistance has flowed into the country from the US, especially from USAID, and which organisations have received this support,” Ramesh added.
Trump’s remarks on the use of US funding to “boost voter turnout” in India have ignited fierce political debate. The US President questioned why a large sum of US $21 million was being spent in India to increase voter participation, and suggested that the funds might be used to influence the country’s electoral outcomes.
Priyanka Gharge, a prominent Congress leader, has since highlighted the apparent connections between key BJP figures and USAID. Gharge pointed to tweets from BJP leaders that referred to their involvement with the US aid agency. One tweet from Union Minister Piyush Goyal revealed his signing of a bilateral agreement with USAID for zero carbon emissions in Indian Railways. Another tweet from BJP Minister Smriti Irani highlighted her role as a USAID ambassador for the past four years. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke of his meetings with USAID officials to discuss expanding the agency’s scope in India.
“Why has the BJP government had so many dealings with an organisation that Trump claims is trying to influence Indian elections?” Gharge questioned. “The connections between the BJP and USAID need to be thoroughly examined in light of these recent developments.”
The controversy took a sharp turn with Congress leader Pon Kheda bringing up historical allegations of RSS ties to the CIA. Kheda shared an article that claimed the CIA had funded the RSS’s anti-cow slaughter movement in the 1960s and was involved in attempts to destabilise the Congress government under Jawaharlal Nehru.
“John Smith has revealed explosive details about the RSS’s historical ties to the CIA,” Kheda wrote. “This includes CIA funding for the 1966 anti-cow slaughter rally and allegations that the RSS was involved in an assassination attempt on Congress President Kamaraj.”
The article cited two key allegations: first, that the CIA provided substantial funds to the RSS for their campaign against cow slaughter, and second, that the RSS orchestrated the attempt on Kamaraj’s life during that time. The article further claimed that MS Golwalkar, the then RSS chief, was at the heart of these operations.
In response to the Congress’s accusations, the BJP has ramped up its own line of attack, focusing on Rahul Gandhi’s statements during his recent foreign visits. BJP’s social media head, Amit Malviya, accused the Congress leader of seeking foreign intervention in Indian politics. Malviya claimed that during a visit to London in March 2023, Gandhi had urged foreign powers to influence India’s internal affairs, allegedly siding with global networks that were detrimental to India’s national interests.
Malviya asserted that the connection between Rahul Gandhi and foreign agencies had been confirmed by Trump’s recent statements, which aligned with claims of foreign interference in India’s electoral process. “The Congress must answer for its actions,” Malviya stated. “Rahul Gandhi’s appeal to foreign powers is not just inappropriate; it is a direct attack on India’s sovereignty.”
As the political row continues to intensify, calls for greater transparency over foreign funding in India are growing louder. The Congress Party has called for a comprehensive report on USAID’s financial activities within India, particularly in relation to non-governmental organisations and election-related activities.
“This is not just about what USAID is doing in India; it’s about ensuring that the integrity of our democratic processes is not compromised,” Ramesh concluded. “We demand full accountability from both the US and the Indian government on this issue.”
As the debate over USAID funding and foreign interference rages on, India finds itself at a crossroads. While some demand transparency and a thorough investigation, others warn of the dangers of inflaming political tensions. For many, the question remains: where does foreign aid end, and where does national sovereignty begin?
The situation continues to unfold, with the Congress demanding immediate action from the Modi government to address the allegations, while the BJP insists that the opposition must clarify its connections with foreign powers. As the 2024 elections approach, these political skirmishes are only set to intensify.
