The political landscape in India has been shaken by remarks from former US President Donald Trump, who claimed that a US$21 million aid package approved by the Biden administration was used to influence India's parliamentary elections last year. The aid, allocated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has come under scrutiny after President Joe Biden signed an order last month halting its funding pending a 90-day review. Trump's comments have drawn sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and sparked allegations of foreign interference against the opposition Congress party.
Trump's criticism came after the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, canceled a substantial grant earlier this week. Analysts interpreted Trump's remarks as highlighting wasteful spending of US taxpayers' money. During an event in Miami, Trump stated:
"I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian government… This is a total breakthrough," – Donald Trump
The former president's assertions have been seized upon by BJP lawmakers, who view them as "smoking gun" evidence of the Congress party seeking "external influence" to unseat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ruling party accused Congress of meddling with foreign powers, intensifying the political skirmish in New Delhi.
The controversy stems from the allocation of the US$21 million aid, which Trump suggested was intended to sway India's last parliamentary elections. This allegation has stirred a political firestorm, with the BJP rallying around Trump's statements to bolster their claims against Congress.
President Biden's order to suspend USAID funding is part of a broader effort to review and ensure efficient use of aid allocated under his administration. This move has been interpreted as a response to growing concerns about fiscal responsibility and oversight within government spending.
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