In New Delhi, Sanjeev Sanyal, an economic advisor to Prime Minister Modi, has raised concerns about the role of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in shaping India’s health and social policies. He highlighted that USAID had significant influence over India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS) from the 1990s until its influence ceased in 2022.
Sanyal expressed that USAID not only collected medical data but also guided the structure and focus of surveys to push certain social agendas. On social media, he noted, “Those concerned about USAID’s interference in Indian elections should also worry about its involvement in our medical system and social policies.” He emphasized that the NFHS is a crucial dataset that influences health policies across India.
He pointed out a stark difference in the NFHS questionnaires for men and women, stating that the men’s questionnaire is significantly shorter. According to him, the women’s section contained many questions that seemed designed to depict a narrative of domestic violence among Indian women. Sanyal mentioned, “A lot of additional questions are crafted to highlight intra-family violence, which appeared to be intentional.” He added that he and late Bibek Debroy had publicly challenged these practices.
Recognizing the long-standing influence of USAID, Sanyal remarked that it took years for the Indian government to distance itself from such foreign influence. “Transitioning away from a well-established system isn’t simple. It takes time to identify issues and create local solutions,” he explained.
Before wrapping up, he referred to recent actions by the US Department of Government Efficiency, which was set up under Donald Trump’s administration. This department has cut various expenditures, including ones that impacted Indian policy, showcasing a significant shift in how the USAID operates and engages with different countries.
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