USAID projects in India in 2023-’24 were unrelated to ‘voter turnout’, shows finance ministry report

Amid a political controversy surrounding allegations that funds from the United States Agency for International Development were used for election interference in India, data from the finance ministry showed that the humanitarian aid agency implemented seven projects in India in partnership with the Centre in 2023-’24.

None of the projects, however, were about “voter turnout”, as alleged by United States President Donald Trump.

The finance ministry said in its annual report for 2023-’24: “Currently, seven projects worth a total budget of $750 million [approx] are being implemented by USAID in partnership with Government of India.”

During this time, funding was allocated to projects focused on agriculture and food security, water, sanitation and hygiene, renewable energy, disaster management and health, but not for enhancing voter turnout.

The US Agency for International Development has committed a total of $97 million, or about Rs 825 crore, for the seven projects in the financial year 2023-24, the report added.

The United States began bilateral development assistance to India in 1951, primarily through USAID. Since then, USAID has contributed over $17 billion to India across more than 555 projects in various sectors.

The agency’s functioning, however, has come under controversy since Donald Trump took over as the United States president. On January 24, Trump imposed a 90-day freeze on…

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