New Delhi:
The latest annual report from the Finance Ministry indicates that USAID has initiated seven projects amounting to $750 million for the fiscal year 2023-24. “Currently, seven projects with a combined budget of approximately $750 million are being executed by USAID in collaboration with the Indian government,” stated the Finance Ministry’s annual report for 2023-24.
For the financial year 2023-24, USAID has committed a total of $97 million (around Rs 825 crore) across these seven projects, the report noted.
The Department of Economic Affairs, which serves as the nodal entity for bilateral funding arrangements under the Finance Ministry, has also provided insights into the projects funded in 2023-24 in the report.
During the year, while there was no financial allocation for increasing voter participation, funds were directed towards initiatives in agriculture and food security; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); renewable energy; disaster management; and health.
Funds were also allocated for sustainable forestry and climate adaptation programs, along with energy efficiency technology commercialization and innovation initiatives.
The U.S. began providing bilateral development assistance to India in 1951, primarily through USAID. Since its inception, USAID has delivered over $17 billion in economic assistance to India across more than 555 projects.
Political tensions emerged earlier this month when the Elon Musk-led DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) announced the cancellation of a $21 million grant intended to enhance “voter turnout” in India.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that USAID, under the prior Biden administration, had allocated $21 million to India for ‘voter turnout’ efforts.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar remarked on Saturday that the information released by the Trump administration was “concerning” and indicated that the government is investigating the matter.
Mr. Jaishankar emphasized that USAID was permitted in India “in good faith to conduct benevolent activities,” and expressed concern over suggestions from the U.S. implying that “there are operations which are of bad faith.”
The Congress party accused the BJP on Sunday of partaking in “anti-national activities” by propagating “fake news from America.” It demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Jaishankar clarify why the government remains silent while President Trump and Elon Musk continue to “insult” India.
“The BJP is a gathering of deceivers and the uninformed. The $21 million news that had the BJP and its supporters so animated has now turned out to be false. The $21 million in question from 2022 was not allocated for ‘voter turnout’ in India, but for Bangladesh,” claimed Congress general secretary in-charge Jairam Ramesh.
