USAID Funding Cut: A Major Blow to Foreign Interference in Bharat’s Electoral Process

Paromita Das

New Delhi.

The recent decision by the United States to cut USAID funding to Bharat has sparked a major political debate, raising questions about the role of foreign entities in shaping democratic processes in sovereign nations. USAID, which has long been accused of serving as an instrument of the U.S. deep state, had been funneling millions of dollars into Bharat under the guise of promoting democracy and increasing voter turnout. The revelation that $21 million was being directed towards activities with unclear motives has led to widespread speculation about the intended objectives behind such funding.

This decision comes at a crucial juncture, just days after Bharatiya Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with former U.S. President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk, leading to further scrutiny of the timing and implications of the move. The cut in funding has been welcomed by many within Bharat, particularly the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has consistently warned against foreign interference in the country’s democratic processes.

The Suspicious Nature of USAID’s Funding in Bharat

USAID, an agency known for its extensive global operations, has been accused by security experts from Bharat, the U.S., and other countries of being involved in regime-change operations. The agency has often been criticized for using American taxpayers’ money to promote specific political narratives in developing countries. The latest revelation that $21 million was allocated to Bharat to increase voter participation has raised eyebrows, as such a large sum could have been used to subtly manipulate electoral trends in the country.

BJP’s social media head, Amit Malviya, took to social media to express his concerns over this funding, questioning its real purpose. He pointed out that such a large investment in “voter turnout” raises serious concerns about external interference in Bharat’s electoral system, emphasizing that it was unlikely to benefit the ruling party.

Malviya further highlighted an important connection from 2012 when the Election Commission of India (ECI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Foundation for Electoral Systems, an organization linked to George Soros’ Open Society Foundation (OSF). Soros, who has publicly expressed his opposition to Prime Minister Modi, has been known to fund various organizations that are often critical of the Bharatiya government. USAID has been a major contributor to Soros’ OSF, raising further concerns about the motives behind these financial allocations.

Foreign Influence Through Media and NGOs

One of the most striking aspects of the USAID funding controversy is the revelation of its connection with media organizations that have been historically critical of the Bharatiya government. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), often hailed as an independent journalistic institution but widely regarded in Bharat as an agenda-driven entity, has been one of the key beneficiaries of USAID funding. In the financial year 2023-24, BBC Media Action, the broadcaster’s international development arm, received an astonishing £2.6 million from USAID.

This revelation is particularly concerning given that the financial year was just ahead of the biggest election year globally, including Bharat’s general elections. The timing of such funding raises legitimate concerns about attempts to shape public opinion in Bharat by external forces.

Another significant revelation comes from WikiLeaks, which recently exposed that USAID has been financing an NGO called Internews Network, a U.S.-based media support organization operating in over 100 countries. Through its collaboration with Sambhavana Institute, USAID facilitated training programs for Bharatiya journalists, providing funding for over 2,500 workshops and training nearly 75,000 media personnel.

What makes this particularly alarming is the ideological alignment of those associated with Sambhavana Institute. Many of its alumni and affiliates are well-known government critics, including figures like Ravish Kumar, Akash Banerjee, Yogendra Yadav, Harsh Mander, Kavita Krishnan, Sandeep Choudhary, and Pranjoy Guha Thakurta. This raises serious questions about whether the funding was genuinely intended to promote journalism or if it was part of a larger effort to cultivate an anti-government narrative within Bharat’s media ecosystem.

Bangladesh Also Affected by USAID Funding Cuts

Bharat is not the only country affected by these funding cuts. The U.S. has also scrapped $29 million in aid to Bangladesh, which was previously allocated under the pretext of “strengthening the political landscape” in the country. The timing of this decision, especially in the wake of political unrest and the violent coup attempt against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has led to speculation that the funding may have been designed to influence political outcomes in Bangladesh.

The U.S.’s inconsistent stance on Bangladesh before and after the coup has exposed the geopolitical motivations behind such aid programs. While Washington had initially justified the aid as a means to strengthen democracy, the abrupt cancellation of the funding following the coup raises questions about whether the original intent was to destabilize Hasina’s government.

The Broader Implications for Bharat and Its Sovereignty

The revelation that over $650 million in USAID funding for voter turnout was allocated to Bharat over the last four years underscores the scale of foreign financial influence. This period coincided with an intensified global smear campaign against the Modi government, particularly through international media outlets and activist groups. The clear chronological link between funding allocations, media narratives, and political developments highlights the need for Bharat to be cautious about foreign interference in its domestic affairs.

For years, Bharat has been fighting an ideological battle against externally funded narratives that seek to undermine its sovereignty. The government’s push for self-reliance through initiatives like “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) aims to reduce dependency on foreign entities, ensuring that Bharat’s democratic processes remain free from external manipulation. The decision to cut USAID funding is seen as a victory for Bharat’s sovereignty and a step towards neutralizing foreign-funded misinformation campaigns.

Time for Stricter Regulations on Foreign Funding

The USAID funding controversy once again highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations on foreign funding in Bharat. While democratic nations must maintain openness to international cooperation, financial inflows that can influence domestic politics need to be scrutinized more thoroughly. Bharat has already taken steps in this direction, such as tightening regulations on foreign-funded NGOs under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). However, the recent revelations indicate that further vigilance is required.

Additionally, the role of foreign media organizations in influencing Bharatiya political discourse needs to be critically examined. The influence of entities like BBC, funded in part by USAID, demonstrates how foreign powers can shape public narratives in Bharat through seemingly legitimate journalistic enterprises. Ensuring transparency in foreign funding to media organizations will be key to maintaining journalistic integrity.

The Bharatiya government must also take proactive steps to build its own institutions for voter awareness, independent journalism, and public discourse, reducing reliance on foreign-funded organizations. By strengthening domestic institutions and fostering an environment of transparency, Bharat can ensure that its democracy remains free from external manipulations.

Conclusion

The decision to cut USAID funding to Bharat marks a significant victory against foreign interference. The exposure of massive financial allocations aimed at influencing Bharat’s electoral process has reinforced the need for Bharat to safeguard its sovereignty against external forces. With the BJP welcoming the funding cuts and calling it a “big success,” this development has once again brought attention to the importance of transparency and vigilance in dealing with foreign aid programs.

As Bharat moves forward, it must remain cautious of external financial inflows that could impact its political stability. The government’s decision to curb such interference is a strong step towards ensuring that Bharat’s democratic processes remain in the hands of its people, rather than foreign-funded entities with hidden agendas.