False U.S. Aid Claim Fuels Diplomatic Tensions and Political Feud in India

A baseless claim by a U.S. agency about funding voter turnout in India has sparked investigations and intensified political rhetoric in both nations.

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) falsely claimed $21 million had been allocated for voter turnout efforts in India, a claim unsupported by evidence.
Indian officials, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, have expressed concerns over alleged foreign interference and announced investigations into the matter.
The claim has intensified domestic political disputes in India, with the ruling BJP accusing the opposition Congress of collusion with foreign entities, while Congress demands a white paper on foreign funding.
The claim appears to have conflated a USAID-funded program in Bangladesh with India, according to experts familiar with the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS).
The controversy underscores broader efforts by the Trump administration to cut foreign aid, with DOGE listing $729 million in canceled grants globally, including the disputed $21 million.