USAID row calls for closer probe

The current controversy surrounding the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is a multi-layered one which must be carefully dissected and understood. It is an extension of the US’ domestic politics being played out in the open, and offers a preview of how President Donald Trump will treat international aid from Washington and its impact on other nations and sectors. As far as India is concerned, while more clarity on the use of the aid is required, the war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress is unnecessary, yet familiar, political bickering.

In his denunciation of USAID, Trump aims to put the spotlight on how previous US governments (especially the Joe Biden administration) have mindlessly spent taxpayers’ money. Perhaps the most important takeaway from this is that US foreign aid is being reoriented to suit Trump’s foreign policy goals. Pete Marocco, the director for foreign assistance at the US State Department and the deputy administrator of USAID, recently stated that if US funding is not giving the president a ‘real influence’, “…there is a slim chance that this actually is achieving anything that is worthwhile for American foreign policy.” The fact that Trump’s decision to pull the plug on USAID has created disruption across the world is a testament to its global footprint, and impact. This means that aid groups and NGOs working on USAID in sectors that Trump does not prioritise, such as health, education, equality, and disaster relief, among others, will be left in the lurch.

What raised political temperatures in India was Trump’s repeated statements that USAID was spent on ‘Indian elections’. His remarks like “they (Biden administration) were trying to get somebody else elected” and “there’s a kickback” are yet to be backed by evidence. The originally claimed figure of $21 million – allegedly granted for voter turnout in India – was in a later reference changed to $18 million. That, however, did not stop the BJP and the Congress from prematurely attacking each other for having benefitted from this funding. The ruling party even used the opportunity to bring out the ‘George Soros funding’ bogeyman to allege that India’s electoral process was being meddled with. Now, multiple reports show that it was not India that received the aid, it was Bangladesh. Political parties must remember that niceties and courtesies must be applied at all times, particularly when publicly debating issues with ramifications for India’s democratic processes. It’s not too much to ask from our leaders. Foreign aid is also a soft power tool, and given the larger impact of such aid, greater transparency on funding of political parties and organisations is the need of the hour; voters need to be in the know. To quote the Supreme Court’s views in another context: ‘Sunlight is the best disinfectant’.