Canceled $21M USAID fund was for Bangladesh, not India: Report
What's the story
A political row has erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress over an Indian Express report regarding the canceled $21 million United States Agency for International Development (USAID) grant for voter turnout in India. The controversy was sparked after former US President Donald Trump suggested that this fund may have been used to sway India's 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the Indian Express report claims this funding was actually for a project in Bangladesh, not India.
Political reactions
BJP refutes report, Congress demands transparency
The BJP has refuted the Indian Express's report, claiming the money was intended for India. Amit Malviya, the BJP IT Cell chief, slammed the report for failing to mention a 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India's Election Commission and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)—one of the nonprofit organizations through which the funds were allegedly channeled. Malviya claimed the IFES was linked to the Open Society Foundation of American billionaire George Soros, which was also funded by USAID.
Accusations fly
Congress accuses BJP of making unfounded allegations
The Congress, on the other hand, has accused the BJP of making baseless allegations against opposition parties without fact-checking. Jairam Ramesh, Congress's communications in-charge, has demanded a White Paper detailing USAID's support to Indian institutions over the years. NDTV, citing BJP sources, reported that during the Congress's rule, both government and non-governmental organizations received significant foreign funding—$204.28 million and $2114.96 million, respectively. They claim this funding shifted toward anti-government forums after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power.
Twitter Post
Ramesh shares IE report
झूठ सबसे पहले वाशिंगटन में बोला गया.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 21, 2025
फिर झूठ को भाजपा की झूठ सेना द्वारा बढ़ा-चढ़ाकर पेश किया.
गोदी मीडिया पर बहस के लिए झूठ गढ़ा गया.
अब झूठ का पूरी तरह से पर्दाफाश हो गया है.
क्या झूठे लोग माफी मांगेंगे? pic.twitter.com/7Q4xmM7Gsr
Funding details
Indian Express report contradicts Trump's claims
Contradicting Trump's claims, the Indian Express report said that no USAID grants have been given for election-related projects in India since 2008. The report highlighted two USAID grants on the DOGE's list, one of $21 million intended for Bangladesh and another $22 million for Moldova. There is no record of a $21 million Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) project in India since 2008, it added.