US President Donald Trump on Friday (Indian time) did not dismiss the possibility of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) influencing both the 2020 US presidential elections and India’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump was directly asked about USAID’s alleged involvement in electoral processes.
“It (USAID) could have had a role in Indian elections. Bad things happened in 2020 and in 2024,” Trump said.
While acknowledging the concerns, he suggested that the scale of the 2024 US elections made them too large to manipulate.
“But the 2024 US polls were too big to rig. But I think they probably tried. We are looking to go to a system where there is one-day voting, voter ID, and paper ballots … when they do that, we will clean it up really well … bad things happen.”
Despite these concerns, Trump described the 2024 election as a “great one”, highlighting that it allowed him the opportunity to collaborate closely with Prime Minister Modi to strengthen US-India relations.
Trump administration acts against USAID
The Trump administration has taken decisive action against USAID, implementing a global stop-work directive that has halted most of the agency’s aid programmes. The only exception to this order is emergency food relief.
As a consequence, the majority of USAID employees have been placed on leave, and overseas staff have been recalled. This move marks one of the most significant shake-ups in US foreign aid policy in recent years.
Trump’s actions reflect long-standing criticisms that USAID has been used as a tool for political interference in foreign countries, rather than simply as an agency for humanitarian assistance. His administration’s suspension of USAID activities appears to be a direct response to allegations of the agency’s involvement in global political affairs.
BJP MP calls for probe into USAID funding in India
In India, the controversy surrounding USAID’s activities has gained momentum, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey calling for an investigation into organisations that receive USAID funding.
Speaking during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Dubey alleged that many of these organisations had ties to the opposition Congress party and were actively engaged in destabilising the country.
“These organisations were involved in protests against the Agniveer programme, advocated for caste-based censuses, and supported Naxal activities,” Dubey claimed.
His comments led to protests from Congress MPs, who attempted to raise a point of order. However, the session’s presiding officer, Sandhya Ray, ruled that interventions were not permitted during Zero Hour, preventing further debate on the matter.
Dubey further asserted that President Trump had taken the right step by shutting down USAID, arguing that the agency had been using its funds to interfere in governance worldwide.
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Political repercussions and global impact
The allegations surrounding USAID’s role in elections—both in the US and India—have sparked political debates in both countries. While the agency has traditionally been viewed as a development aid body, accusations of its involvement in domestic affairs have intensified under Trump’s leadership.
For India, the issue has become a focal point in the ongoing battle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party. Dubey’s remarks suggest that the BJP sees external funding sources as a potential threat to national stability, particularly in light of recent protests and political movements.
Meanwhile, in the US, Trump’s stance on USAID aligns with his broader critique of government institutions and foreign policy agencies. His move to suspend the agency’s operations indicates a shift towards a more isolationist approach to international assistance.
What comes next?
With USAID’s operations largely suspended and an investigation into its funding underway in India, the coming months could see further revelations about the agency’s role in global politics.
In the US, Trump’s push for tighter election controls—such as voter ID laws and paper ballots—signals his continued focus on election integrity ahead of his next term in office.
For India, the scrutiny on foreign-funded organisations could lead to increased regulations on NGOs and aid agencies operating within the country. If the allegations gain traction, there could be stricter oversight of international funding sources, particularly those linked to political activism.
As these developments unfold, the debate over USAID’s influence in democratic processes is likely to remain a contentious issue—both in Washington and New Delhi.
