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2h ago

US Embassy Rejects Claim of $21 Million USAID Funding for Voter Turnout in India

The MEA cited an embassy breakdown of 2014–2024 funding during USAID’s 2025 wind-down.

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Donald Trump in a dark blue suit with a red tie stands in front of a large American flag. He is facing forward with a serious expression. Behind him, a large crowd is holding up red, white, and blue signs at what appears to be a political rally.
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Overview

  • In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, the MEA said the US Embassy affirmed that USAID/India neither received nor provided $21 million for voter turnout and carried out no voter turnout activities from FY 2014 to 2024.
  • Embassy data shared on July 2 detailed USAID funding in India for 2014–2024, and beneficiary-wise allocations for 2022–2024 were also provided to the government.
  • USAID operations ceased on July 1 with about 83% of programs terminated and 94% of staff laid off, the seven Partnership Agreements with India closed on August 15, and full closure is scheduled for September 2 with remaining functions moved to the State Department.
  • The controversy began after a February 16 DOGE post listed a $21 million item labeled for “voter turnout in India,” a claim President Donald Trump repeated in public remarks earlier this year.
  • Investigative reporting previously matched the $21 million line to a July 2022 USAID grant for the Amar Vote Amar project in Bangladesh, not India.