New Delhi, Feb 22, 2025
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that the information given by the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding USAID is ‘concerning’
“Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning,” EAM Jaishankar told media persons.
He added that the government is looking into the allegations made by the Trump administration.
“My sense is that the facts will come out. The USAID was allowed here in good faith and to do good-faith activities. However, suggestions are now being laid out from the US that there are activities which have taken place in bad faith,” he added.
He further said that these developments are ‘worrisome’.
“If there’s something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it. It would suggest that there are activities which have a certain objective out there, to push a narrative or a viewpoint,” EAM Jaishankar said.
While addressing the Delhi University Literature Festival, EAM Jaishankar said: “Your security can be threatened without you leaving your house because the thought processes, the influences, the narratives, your morale, your sense of what is right and wrong, are all influenced by your phone, what you read every day, the pictures you see. “
On Friday, in Washington, speaking at a ‘Governors Working Session,’ Trump said: “Twenty-one million dollars going to my friend Prime Minister Modi in India for voter turnout. We’re giving 21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too.”
Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the reports were deeply troubling.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain USA activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.”
He added that relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter. It would be premature to make a public comment at this stage, “so relevant authorities are looking into it, and hopefully we can come up with an update on that subsequently.”
Earlier, the BJP accused Congress MP Rahul Gandhi of indulging in anti-national activities and colluding with foreign forces to “defeat” Prime Minister Narendra Modi whom his party has failed to beat in elections.
The party said that Rahul Gandhi cannot digest the fact that PM Modi has become a global leader while seeking answers from the Congress leader about the revelation made about USAID’s attempt to influence Indian elections and his links with American investor George Soros and US politician and anti-India baiter Ilhan Omar.
Referring to US President Donald Trump’s statement, detailing how USAID funding was being used to interfere in India’s electoral process, the party said that the Congress has now become anti-India and accused it of joining hands with forces detrimental to India’s interests.
Before the Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi, along with many “patriotic journalists and organisations” responsibly raised concerns that foreign powers were interfering in India’s elections, the party said.
However, the Congress has demanded the release of a comprehensive white paper detailing all funds received by political parties, individuals, NGOs, and organisations from international developmental agencies, aid mechanisms, and multilateral forums.(Agency)
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