USAID under fire: India demands accountability amid allegations of election meddling and financial mismanagement
By willowt // 2025-03-21
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  • India has formally requested a decade-long audit of all USAID-funded projects within its borders, citing concerns over foreign interference in its elections and questionable financial practices by the U.S. aid agency. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs seeks detailed expenditure reports for USAID projects over the past ten years.
  • Elon Musk’s DOGE exposed $21 million in USAID spending on "voter turnout" initiatives, initially linked to India but later clarified as intended for Bangladesh. This sparked outrage in India, with both ruling and opposition parties accusing each other of benefiting from foreign funds.
  • USAID has faced longstanding criticism for using aid to advance U.S. geopolitical interests, including destabilizing governments in Latin America in the 1970s and promoting regime change in the Middle East. India’s demand reflects broader global skepticism about foreign aid being used as a tool for political manipulation.
  • India’s Enforcement Directorate raided eight locations tied to USAID activities, uncovering a $3 million money trail linked to NGOs, including those associated with George Soros’ Open Society Foundations. This raised further questions about the transparency and accountability of foreign-funded organizations.
  • The scandal highlights concerns over U.S. taxpayer dollars being misused abroad, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability in foreign aid programs. India’s audit demand underscores the need for USAID and similar agencies to operate with respect for national sovereignty and avoid hidden political agendas.
In a stunning move that underscores growing tensions between two of the world’s largest democracies, India has formally requested a decade-long audit of all USAID-funded projects within its borders. The demand comes amid explosive allegations of foreign interference in India’s elections and revelations of questionable financial practices by the U.S. government’s overseas aid agency. This development raises serious questions about the integrity of foreign aid programs and the potential for misuse of taxpayer dollars to influence sovereign nations.

A decade of opacity: India demands transparency

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has asked the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi to provide detailed expenditure reports for all USAID-assisted projects in India over the past ten years. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed the request, stating that while some open-source information is available, the Indian government “understandably expects an official response from the U.S. Government on this matter.” The request follows revelations from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which exposed USAID’s $21 million expenditure on “voter turnout” initiatives in India. While the Indian Express later clarified that these funds were intended for Bangladesh, the damage was done. The mere suggestion of foreign interference in India’s elections has sparked outrage across the political spectrum, with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party accusing each other of benefiting from foreign funds. “We have seen information put out by the U.S. administration regarding certain USAID activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs,” said Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Historical context: A pattern of overreach

This is not the first time USAID has faced scrutiny for its activities abroad. Historically, the agency has been accused of using its funds to advance U.S. geopolitical interests under the guise of humanitarian aid. In the 1970s, USAID was implicated in efforts to destabilize governments in Latin America, and more recently, it has been criticized for its role in promoting regime change in the Middle East. India’s demand for transparency is a bold move that reflects a broader global skepticism of foreign aid programs. Critics argue that such initiatives often serve as a Trojan horse for political manipulation, undermining the sovereignty of recipient nations. The fact that USAID’s funding in India totals 750 million over the past decade — with 97 million allocated in the most recent fiscal year alone—only amplifies concerns about how these funds are being used.

Raids and revelations: The money trail

Adding fuel to the fire, India’s Enforcement Directorate recently raided eight locations linked to USAID activities, including premises associated with the Open Society Foundations, a nonprofit controlled by billionaire George Soros. The raids uncovered a $3 million money trail leading to various NGOs, raising questions about the transparency and accountability of these organizations. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been vocal about his concerns, stating that while USAID was allowed to operate in India “in good faith,” recent revelations suggest activities “which are in bad faith.” He emphasized that NGOs receiving foreign funding are obligated to declare their sources of money, adding, “the facts will come out.”

A call for accountability

The implications of this scandal extend far beyond India. At a time when U.S. taxpayers are grappling with inflation, a ballooning national debt and wasteful government spending, the idea that their hard-earned dollars are being used to meddle in foreign elections is nothing short of infuriating. President Donald Trump’s freeze on USAID funding is a step in the right direction, but more must be done to ensure that foreign aid programs are not being weaponized for political gain, especially with the deep state working against him through activist judges. India’s demand for a comprehensive audit is a wake-up call for the U.S. government. It is time to reevaluate the role of USAID and other foreign aid agencies, ensuring that they operate with transparency, accountability and respect for the sovereignty of other nations. Americans need to demand answers from their elected officials. How much of our money is being wasted on dubious projects abroad? And how can we ensure that foreign aid serves its intended purpose—helping those in need — rather than advancing hidden agendas? The stakes are high, and the world is watching. It’s time for the U.S. government to come clean. Sources include: RT.com TimesofIndia.com Reuters.com
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