Politics
ALLEGATIONS, ASIA, BIDEN, DEMOCRACY, DEMOCRATS, DOGE, DOVE, EL, ELON MUSK, GOVERNANCE, GREGORY MEEKS, HINDU, INDIA, LEGISLATION, MARCO RUBIO, NATIONAL SECURITY, RUBIO, SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA, STATE DEPARTMENT, SYDNEY KAMLAGER, SYDNEY KAMLAGER - DOVE, TRUMP, U. S, U. S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, USAID
Nia Simpson
U.S. House Democrats Seek Clarification on Alleged USAID Funding for India
House Democrats inquire about alleged $21 million USAID funding for voter turnout in India, addressing concerns over transparency and the political implications of former President Trump’s claims. They emphasize the importance of diplomatic relations with India and request a response by March 21, 2025.
Two Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee have addressed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, inquiring about the alleged $21 million allocated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for voter turnout initiatives in India. They request clarification on how the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE) cancelled this program and communicated its cancellation to relevant stakeholders.
The letter, dated March 13, 2025, highlights the contentious nature of the alleged funding, which has been publicly cited by former President Trump as an example of wasteful overseas assistance. His repeated references to the program have sparked significant political tensions within the Indian Parliament, with accusations exchanged between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party.
The authors of the letter, Gregory Meeks and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, expressed frustration over previously seeking clarification from Mr. Rubio three times in February without receiving a response. They noted that Trump’s unverified claims, suggesting the Biden Administration misused the funds for political gain, have instigated political unrest in India.
The lawmakers provided historical context, emphasizing USAID’s role in initiatives such as helping establish IIT Kanpur. They argue that Trump’s incendiary remarks have undermined trust in USAID’s operations in India, threatening a crucial bilateral partnership. In their correspondence, they stressed that maintaining strong relations with India necessitates adept diplomatic engagement.
The lawmakers have requested Mr. Rubio’s response by March 21, 2025, as they seek to clarify the allegations surrounding the funding. The Hindu has sought comments from the State Department in response to the situation.
In conclusion, U.S. House Democrats are pressing Secretary of State Marco Rubio for clarification regarding the alleged $21 million USAID funding for voter turnout in India, which has become a politically charged issue. Their requests stem from concerns about misinformation propagated by former President Trump, which has strained U.S.-India relations. The urgency of their inquiry emphasizes the importance of maintaining trust and cooperation in diplomatic engagements with strategic partners.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
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