India has raised concerns over the alleged $21 million in funding by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), citing potential foreign interference in its internal affairs. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Friday that the matter is being investigated by relevant departments and authorities.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the revelations as “deeply troubling”, emphasizing that the government is examining details of USAID’s financial activities in India.
“We have seen information released by the US administration regarding certain activities and funding. These are obviously very concerning,” Jaiswal said.
The controversy gained momentum after US President Donald Trump, speaking at an event in Miami on Thursday, questioned USAID’s allocation of $21 million for voter turnout efforts in India. Trump openly speculated whether the funding was aimed at influencing electoral outcomes.
“This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs,” Jaiswal added. “It would be premature to make a public comment at this stage, but relevant authorities are looking into the matter and will provide updates as necessary.”
The Indian government has not yet issued a formal conclusion on the investigation, but the issue has sparked debate over the role of foreign funding in domestic affairs.