New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has once again expressed his concerns regarding the purported allocation of $18 million by USAID for elections in India, questioning the justification for such significant expenditures abroad rather than prioritizing voter engagement within the United States.
During his address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump advocated for a return to paper ballots and suggested that India could assist the United States with its electoral processes.
“Why are we allocating 18 million dollars to assist India with its elections? Why not revert to traditional paper ballots and allow them to support us in our electoral matters? Voter ID would be a beneficial step. We are providing financial aid to India for elections, which they do not require,” stated the US President.
“They take advantage of us quite effectively. India is one of the nations with the highest tariffs globally. When we attempt to sell our products, they impose a 200 percent tariff. Yet, we continue to provide them with substantial funds for their elections,” he continued. This criticism aligns with Trump’s ongoing examination of USAID funding in various countries, having previously alleged US interference in election outcomes in India.
