WASHINGTON: A Washington Post report has dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that the US had provided financial aid to promote voting in India. Trump, along with Elon Musk-led DOJ, had alleged that USAID had allocated $21 million (Rs 160 crore) to increase voter participation in India. However, The Indian Express recently reported that this claim was false and that the $21 million was actually allocated to Bangladesh in 2022. The Washington Post report supports this finding.

According to the Washington Post, India has not received any funding related to elections from USAID since 2008. The report cites three individuals closely associated with USAID, who clarified that the funds the DOJ referred to were used for other projects in India, not election-related activities.

The BJP had previously used the allegations of US funding as a political weapon against the Congress, claiming that funds given to NGOs under the pretext of promoting voting were misused for anti-India activities. However, with the emergence of new reports, the Congress has hit back, stating that the BJP’s false propaganda has been exposed.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has repeatedly called US financial aid to India unjustified. He questioned why the US should be concerned about India's voter turnout, arguing that efforts should be focused on increasing voter participation in America instead. The Trump administration recently announced that the funding would be stopped, with Trump further alleging that the Biden administration was trying to interfere in Indian elections and influence the selection of a different leader.