BIG BREAKING: Govt to Launch Multi-Agency Probe into USAID’s Alleged Meddling in 2024 General Elections, Say Sources

New Delhi:  The Narendra Modi -led government is set to launch a multi-agency probe into alleged foreign interference in the 2024 General Elections, with a focus on USAID’s $21 million voter turnout project, sources have told Republic.

The investigation, expected to be ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) within the next 48 hours, will involve multiple agencies, including the Income Tax Department and other enforcement bodies. Officials are currently gathering crucial data, particularly regarding the channelling of funds from the United States for election-related activities, said sources.

The development comes amid concerns over foreign influence on India’s democratic process, with US President Donald Trump alleging that the USAID-backed initiative was aimed at influencing election outcomes.  

When PM Modi Hinted at Foreign Conspiracy to Remove Him During Lok Sabha Elections | WATCH

A resurfaced video revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already warned of a global conspiracy to unseat him, suggesting that powerful forces were aligning against his leadership.

Speaking at a rally in Chikkaballapur, Karnataka, on April 20, 2024, PM Modi credited the support of Naari Shakti and Matr Shakti as his shield against such plots. “Aaj Kal Desh Duniya ke bade bade takatwar log Modi ko hatane ke liye ekjut ho gaye hain, lekin ye Naari Shakti ka aashirwaad hai, Matra Shakti ka aashirwaad hai, aapka suraksha kawach hai ki Modi har chunauti se tarkate hue chalta jaa raha hai (These days, powerful forces from across the country and the world are uniting to remove Modi. But with the blessings of Naari Shakti (women’s power) and Matra Shakti (motherly power), and your protective shield, Modi is overcoming every challenge and moving forward)", PM Modi had said last year, hinting at foreign conspiracy to remove him during general elections. 

'Deeply Troubling', MEA on US Administration's Information on Funding in India

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the United States administration's information regarding funding in India is "deeply troubling" and has led to concerns regarding foreign interference in India's internal affairs. Addressing a weekly press briefing on Friday, the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that relevant departments and agencies are looking into the matter and it would be premature to make a public comment at this stage.

Asked about President Donald Trump's remarks about the funding of USD 21 million for "voter turnout in India", Jaiswal said, "We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain US activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India's internal affairs. Relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter."

"It would be premature to make a public comment at this stage. So, relevant authorities are looking into, and hopefully we can come up with an update on that subsequently," the MEA spokesperson said.

USAID Row: How it All Started?

Addressing the FII PRIORITY Summit in Miami, Florida on Thursday, Trump questioned the United States' allocation of USD 21 million for voter turnout efforts in India, comparing it to concerns over foreign interference in American elections.

Highlighting the disparity in reactions, Trump stated, "21 million dollars in voter turnout - why do we need to spend 21 million for voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government... Because when we hear that Russia spent about two thousand dollars in our country, it was a big deal. They took some internet ads for two thousand dollars. This is a total breakthrough."

Trump further pointed out India's strong economic position and high tariffs on US goods, stating, "They got a lot of money. They're one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us. We can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high."

While maintaining his respect for India and Prime Minister Modi, Trump questioned the necessity of spending millions on voter turnout in a foreign country, adding, “I have a lot of respect for India. I have a lot of respect for the prime minister. He just left, as you know, two days ago. But we're giving USD 21 million for voter turnout. It's voter turnout in India. What about, like, voter turnout here? Oh, we've done that, I guess. We did USD 500 million, didn't we? It's called the lockboxes.”

This comes after US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) posted a list of cancelled US taxpayer-funded initiatives with a mention of USD 21 million earmarked for "voter turnout in India." 

The DOGE-headed by Elon Musk, announced cancelling a USD 22 million funding intended for "voter turnout in India" on February 16. In a post on X, DOGE listed the number of spendings by the US taxpayer that have been cancelled, including "USD 21M for voter turnout in India.