Trump criticises USAID funding for India, sparks diplomatic tensions | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
June 10, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025
Trump criticises USAID funding for India, sparks diplomatic tensions

South Asia

UNB
23 February, 2025, 02:00 pm
Last modified: 23 February, 2025, 02:04 pm

Related News

  • Curfew and internet ban imposed in Manipur after arrests spark fresh unrest
  • Explosions, fires rock Singapore-flagged cargo ship off India's Kerala coast
  • China's May exports slow, deflation deepens as tariffs bite
  • India's $80 billion coal-power boom is running short of water
  • Trump's travel ban on 12 countries goes into effect

Trump criticises USAID funding for India, sparks diplomatic tensions

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington on Sunday, President Trump alleged that India already benefits from high tariffs on American goods and does not require financial assistance for its elections

UNB
23 February, 2025, 02:00 pm
Last modified: 23 February, 2025, 02:04 pm
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks along with US President Donald Trump at the White House, in Washington, DC, 14 February 2025. Photo: Collected
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks along with US President Donald Trump at the White House, in Washington, DC, 14 February 2025. Photo: Collected

US President Donald Trump has criticised the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for allegedly allocating funds to interfere in India's electoral process, questioning why American taxpayers' money was being sent to the country.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington on Sunday, President Trump alleged that India already benefits from high tariffs on American goods and does not require financial assistance for its elections.

"Eighteen million dollars for helping India with its elections. Why the hell? Why don't we just go to old paper ballots and let them help us with our elections, right? Voter ID. Wouldn't that be nice? We're giving money to India for elections. They don't need money," Trump remarked.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The figure quoted by Trump could not be independently verified. A prior report from the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) suggested that $21 million had been allocated for "voter turnout" in India.

"They take advantage of us pretty good. One of the highest tariffed nations in the world. We try and sell something, they have a 200 per cent tariff. And then we're giving them a lot of money to help them with their election," he continued.

India responds to Trump's allegations

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the concerns raised by Trump, stating that the government was looking into the matter.

"Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning. I think, as a government, we're looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out. USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities; now, suggestions are being laid out from America that there are activities which are in bad faith. It's worrisome, and if there's something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it," Jaishankar said.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress party has demanded a white paper on all foreign aid received by India from developmental agencies. Congress has also called for legal action against those propagating what it terms "baseless allegations" of foreign interference in Indian democracy.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera countered Trump's claim, stating, "More Indian news media outlets have fact-checked the claim by BJP and Modi government's minister as untrue. Funds went to Bangladesh, not India; although India received USAID funds, it was not for increasing voter turnout."

BJP dismisses congress's defence

BJP leader Ajay Alok dismissed Congress's statements as "baseless," asserting that the Modi government has significantly curtailed foreign aid flows.

"We have already shown that the government got $2,119 million between 2004-14 and just $1.5 million between 2014-25. We are shutting down these things. The Indian government is now acting, the US government has issued a list of who has got the money from where... this is part of a deep state. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was also being funded from this money," Alok claimed.

With both the Indian and Bangladeshi governments yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, the controversy is likely to continue, further complicating diplomatic relations between India and the United States ahead of key elections in both nations.

Top News / World+Biz

India / United States (US) / Donald Trump / USAID

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir speaks to reporters at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on 10 June 2025. Photo: Focus Bangla
    Fakhrul urges interim govt to rethink April election timing
  • A passerby walks near a building on fire at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
    Russia launches one of war's largest air attacks on Kyiv
  • Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu. Photo: Collected
    Elected govt essential to ensure investors' security: BGMEA president

MOST VIEWED

  • On left, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president (SVP) of BGMEA and additional managing director of Team Group; on right, Captain Md Saifuzzaman (Guddu), a Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Photos: Collected
    Ex-BGMEA SVP Abdullah Hil Rakib, Biman 787 pilot Saifuzzaman drown in boating accident in Canada
  • A photo showing the former president on his return to Dhaka today (9 June). 
Source: Collected
    Former president Abdul Hamid returns to Bangladesh from Thailand
  • File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar
    Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus leaves for a four-day visit to the United Kingdom from the Dhaka airport on 9 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA Yunus leaves for UK; discussion expected on renewable energy investment, laundered money
  • Inside the aid ship stormed by Israeli forces on 9 June 2025. Photo: BBC
    Israeli forces stormed aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg bound for Gaza: Freedom Flotilla Coalition
  • Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases
    Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases

Related News

  • Curfew and internet ban imposed in Manipur after arrests spark fresh unrest
  • Explosions, fires rock Singapore-flagged cargo ship off India's Kerala coast
  • China's May exports slow, deflation deepens as tariffs bite
  • India's $80 billion coal-power boom is running short of water
  • Trump's travel ban on 12 countries goes into effect

Features

File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

1d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

3d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

5d | Panorama
(From left) Sadia Haque, Sylvana Quader Sinha and Tasfia Tasbin. Sketch: TBS

Meet the women driving Bangladesh’s startup revolution

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

41m | TBS Today
Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

1h | TBS World
Prison irregularities will be punished, warns Home Affairs Advisor

Prison irregularities will be punished, warns Home Affairs Advisor

1h | TBS Today
What's the problem with elections in April? What BNP says

What's the problem with elections in April? What BNP says

2h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net