If not for the newly constructed Government Efficiency Department (DOGE) under the leadership of Elon Musk, the public may not know that before India and beyond the 2014 parliamentary elections, the US establishment “Keeping a large amount of dollar for the voter. Was doing a turnout among the marginalized communities in India.
The question arises: What was the purpose of this funding, and whose interests were served? What is the part of the United States in the voting of India’s elections and specific demographics?
US President Donald Trump’s statement on this issue is serious. He commented that the cost of USAID in the Indian elections was not an attempt to promote democracy, but to ban it. “Why do we need to spend $ 21 million on voter voting in India? I think they were trying to choose someone. We have got to tell the Government of India … this is a total success. ,
Although the participation of USAID in India is from the 1960s, it has changed over time – from food security to governance reforms. Since 2011, its Democratic Elections and Political Procedure (Dep) program has allocated the consortium more than $ 318,614 annually to the consortium for strengthening the election and political process for India-specific projects.
Financial revelations suggest that CEPP disbursions were at its peak during the election years. In FY2014, at the exchange rate of $ 21 million – at the exchange rate of 182 crores – was sent to India for “voter awareness” campaigns. These funds were distributed monthly from January to May, which match the national election campaign. After May 2014, funding declined by 83%, suggesting that the objective was electoral rather than institutional. In 2019, a uniform pattern took place, with $ 486 million allocated regional. Fortunately, vigilant Indian agencies blocked parts of these funds, citing violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
Some observers create similarities between $ 29 million nominated for the allocation of USAID for India and “strengthening the political landscape” in Bangladesh. Recent events in Bangladesh have shown how the landscape was “strengthened”. In contrast, India remains stable and democratic, on a large scale because citizens believed in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intentions and rule, despite repeated efforts to build public unrest on various issues.
Additionally, USAID was honored more than $ 750,000 for a program aimed at “reducing loneliness among migrant garment in India”. It raises relevant questions: Who were these so -called migrant workers? In fact, how was this program going to reduce their loneliness? Principles about potential beneficiaries and underlying objectives.
Another important issue, the Election Commission of India (ECI) 2012 signs a memorandum (mOO) with the US-based International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) during the tenure of the UPA government led by Sonia Gandhi-Manmohan Singh in 2012. .
Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sy Quraishi has accepted the agreement with IFES, but deny that ECI has received a fund from USAID. He insisted that the MoU was similar to the agreements signed with other international election bodies and the objective was for training in ECI’s India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIEDEM).
However, analyzing Qureshi’s statement reveals a significant difference. No one is alleging that ECI itself has received USAID money. Instead, funds were made through several NGOs, both Indian and foreign organizations. While Qureshi described the IIIDEM training program as catering for “desired countries”, leaked audit indicates that the clear focus of USAID was “raising voter participation in marginalized communities” – a goal that critics Aligns with domestic political agenda.
Look closely on IFES and iiidem
According to IFES website, “The foundation of the open society established by George Soros is the world’s largest private funds of independent groups working for justice, democratic rule and human rights. They provide thousands of grants annually through national and regional foundations and a network of offices, funding a vast array of projects. ,
Reports suggest that IFES’s operations of India received dual funds from USAID and major technical corporations-Google, Meta, and Microsoft between 2012 and 2025. While this public-private funding model is innovative, it also creates conflicting interests.
The ECI founded the IIIDEM in 2011, which was shortly before signing the MoU with IFES. Training module in iiidem allegedly emphasized “inclusive electoral practices” and “Dalit voter mobilization”.
An IFES policy letter of 2013 advocated for caste-based voter classification, a stand which was later echoed by opposition parties in parliamentary debate till 2016. This concluded in the politically accused slogan of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, ”As much as Abadi, Ota Haq“(According to the population, therefore should be right).
After the revelations by DOGE about the outbound funding of the USAID, Senior Country Director of IFES and Nepal, Vasu Mohan removed his X (East Twitter) account.
This raises a question: Is there a connection between Rahul Gandhi’s statements on western soil, where he claimed that democracy in India is “subjugated”, and his appeal for American and European intervention?
The information expressed by Dogi and subsequent functions increases serious concerns about foreign influence in India’s electoral processes. The alignment of USAID funding patterns with election cycles, focus on specific voter demographics, and participation of foreign organizations suggests a deliberate effort to shape political outcomes. These revelations warrant all parties to intensive investigation and transparency.
(The author is the consulting editor, ndtv)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
(Tagstotransite) USAID (T) USAID India Voter Turnout
