Jaishankar: USAID Truth Will Come Out

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• Jaishankar: Truth will emerge on USAID’s ‘bad faith’ activities.
• Govt investigating foreign interference after Trump’s allegations.
• USAID permitted to operate in India ‘in good faith.’
• Suggestions now emerging of ‘bad faith’ activities.
• Govt actively investigating the matter.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday that the government is examining statements made by the Trump administration regarding possible foreign interference in Indian elections, asserting that “facts will come out.” The Jaishankar USAID India issue is under serious investigation.

Speaking at the Delhi University Literature Festival, Jaishankar addressed concerns raised after US President Donald Trump claimed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated $21 million to boost voter turnout in India. Trump questioned whether the funding was meant to “get someone else elected.”

Jaishankar, in response to a question from moderator Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, acknowledged that USAID was permitted to operate in India “in good faith, to do good faith activities.”

However, the minister noted that suggestions are emerging from the United States that “there are activities which are in bad faith.”

“I think some information has been put out there by Trump administration people, and obviously that is concerning. It would suggest that there are activities which have a certain objective out here to push a narrative or a viewpoint,” Jaishankar said.

He added that the government is actively investigating the matter. “As a government, we are looking into it, because such organizations have an obligation to report. And, my sense is, the facts will come out,” he said.

Addressing an event in Miami on Thursday (February 20), US President Donald Trump questioned the USAID funding of USD 21 million for voter turnout in India and wondered whether it was trying to get someone else elected.

India on Friday said the revelations about USAID funding for certain activities in the country are “deeply troubling” and have led to concerns about foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in response to a query during his weekly briefing, had said “relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter”.

“We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain USA activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs,” Jaiswal said.

He further added that the government is actively looking into the matter, but refrained from making a detailed public statement at this stage.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• Jaishankar assures: The truth about USAID activities in India will be revealed.
• The government is investigating potential foreign interference post-Trump claims.
• USAID was initially authorized to work in India with ‘good intentions.’
• Concerns have arisen regarding possible ‘bad faith’ actions by USAID.
• The government is proactively pursuing an investigation into this matter.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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