Sun Feb 23 07:51:02 UTC 2025: **Trump Accuses Biden Administration of $18 Million India Election Funding**

**Washington, D.C. – February 23, 2025** – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has accused the Biden administration of providing $18 million in funding to India to assist with its elections, claiming the country does not require such assistance. Trump made the remarks during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, February 22nd. He further criticized the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for allegedly allocating $21 million to India for “voter turnout” and $29 million to Bangladesh to strengthen its political landscape.

Trump alleges that India takes advantage of the U.S. and highlighted high tariffs imposed by India while simultaneously receiving U.S. financial aid for elections. He called for a return to paper ballots and voter ID systems.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to the allegations, stating that the information from the Trump administration is “concerning” and that the government is investigating. He emphasized that USAID’s presence in India was based on good faith and that any suggestion of bad faith activities warrants scrutiny.

The Congress party in India has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address Trump’s claims directly. Trump previously raised similar concerns on February 19th and 20th, with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initially alleging a $21 million contribution to the Indian Election Commission to boost voter turnout, later stating that these funds had been cancelled. The conflicting figures of $18 million and $21 million regarding aid to India remain unclear.

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