Musk’s Shocking ‘Doge’ Claim on USAid Funds Sparks Political Firestorm in India

Recently, a controversy flared up in India over claims made by Elon Musk’s group, Doge. They asserted that the U.S. government sent millions to influence Indian elections. This stirred political tensions, especially since Donald Trump used these claims to criticize U.S. foreign aid.

A post on Musk’s platform X mentioned a supposed $21 million grant from USAID intended to boost voter turnout in India. However, investigations by the Indian Express revealed that these funds never reached India. Instead, they were allocated to a non-profit in Bangladesh aimed at encouraging political engagement amid a crackdown on opposition there.

Trump seized on this misinformation to fuel his campaign against USAID. At a Miami rally, he questioned the need for such funding for Indian elections, implying it was a scheme to influence the outcome. He continued this narrative at other events, incorrectly framing the $21 million as a kickback to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This outcry came just after Modi met with the U.S. president in Washington. Despite the friendly meetings, Trump’s claims had serious repercussions back in India. Modi’s party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), often claims that international groups are trying to undermine it. They interpreted Trump’s statements as confirmation of foreign interference in Indian politics.

Top BJP officials expressed their discontent, with one leader arguing that Trump’s words suggested a conspiracy against Modi. India’s vice president, Jagdeep Dhankhar, voiced his shock, fearing manipulation of India’s democratic process. Other officials criticized USAID as a longstanding issue in India’s political landscape.

Civil society groups in India grew concerned about potential repercussions from these claims, worrying that it could lead to stricter controls on their activities. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress party condemned the BJP for spreading what they termed “fake news.” They accused the BJP of failing to defend India’s democracy against baseless allegations.

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