Reports on $21 million USAID fund to India ‘deeply troubling’: MEA

India on February 21, 2025, said that the reports about USAID’s alleged $21 million funding ‘for voter turnout’ in India is “deeply troubling” and has led to concerns regarding foreign interference in India’s internal affairs

India on Friday (February 21, 2025) said that the reports about USAID’s alleged $21 million funding ‘for voter turnout’ in India is “deeply troubling” and has led to concerns regarding foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.

Addressing a press briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said “These reports are deeply troubling, and indicate possible foreign interference into Indias internal affairs.”

He added that relevant departments and agencies are investigating the allegations.

“We have seen information that has been put out by the U.S. administration regarding certain US activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling,” Mr. Jaiswal said.

Addressing an event in Miami on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump questioned the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) funding of $21 million for voter turnout in India and wondered whether it was trying to get someone else elected.

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“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, so relevant authorities are looking into it and hopefully, we can come up with an update on that subsequently,” he said.