NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar said Saturday that govt is looking into statements by the Trump administration suggesting foreign interference in Indian elections and that “facts will come out”.
US President Donald Trump had earlier said USAID had allocated $21 million to boost voter turnout in India, wondering if it was meant to “get someone else elected”.
Speaking at a public event, the minister said some information has been put out there by the Trump administration that is concerning. “I think, as a govt, we’re looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out… USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities; now, suggestions are being laid out from America that there are activities which are in bad faith,” said the minister.
“It’s worrisome, and if there’s something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it,” he added.
For the third day in a row, Trump raised the same issue, saying this time, “twenty-one million dollars going to my friend PM Modi in India for voter turnout”.
“We’re giving 21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too,” he said.
MEA too had said on Friday that Indian agencies are probing the statements by the Trump administration. “These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs,” said the MEA spokesperson.
The allegations have caused a political uproar in India with the ruling party attacking Congress, saying the funding was meant for the opposition party. Congress has sought a white paper on USAID funds.
