NEW DELHI, Feb 23: In the midst of an escalating political debate surrounding USAID’s purported influence on Indian elections, the finance ministry’s recent annual report has revealed that the agency has allocated funding for seven projects totaling USD 750 million for the 2023-24 period.
According to the Finance Ministry’s report for 2023-24, “Currently, seven projects with a cumulative budget of approximately USD 750 million are being executed by USAID in collaboration with the Government of India.”
For the financial year 2023-24, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed a total of USD 97 million (around Rs 825 crore) across these projects.
The Department of Economic Affairs, which oversees bilateral funding arrangements, has outlined the details of the projects funded for the 2023-24 period within the report.
This year, while no funds were allocated for increasing voter turnout, resources were directed toward initiatives related to agriculture and food security, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), renewable energy, disaster management, and health.
Additionally, funding was pledged for the Sustainable Forests and Climate Adaptation Program as well as the Energy Efficiency Technology Commercialization and Innovation Project.
The United States has been providing bilateral development assistance to India since 1951, primarily through USAID. Over its operational history, USAID has contributed more than USD 17 billion across various sectors for over 555 projects in India.
Recent political discourse heated up earlier this month when the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the cancellation of a USD 21 million grant intended to enhance “voter turnout” in India.
Former US President Donald Trump also asserted multiple times that USAID, under President Joe Biden’s administration, allocated USD 21 million to India for ‘voter turnout’ efforts.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern regarding the information released by the Trump administration, indicating that the Indian government is investigating the matter.
Jaishankar noted that USAID was permitted in India to operate “in good faith,” adding that there are suggestions from the US regarding “activities that lack good faith.”
In contrast, the Congress party accused the BJP of engaging in “anti-national activities” by disseminating “fake news from America.” They stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar must address why the government remains quiet while figures like Trump and Musk continue to “insult” India.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, stated, “The BJP is a cadre of liars and the uninformed. The narrative surrounding the USD 21 million grant, which the BJP has been excited about, has been debunked. That funding in 2022 was not intended for voter turnout in India, but rather for Bangladesh.” (PTI)
