Amid a raging political controversy over USAID's alleged role in influencing Indian elections, the finance ministry's most recent annual report revealed that the agency funded seven projects totaling USD 750 million in 2023-24.
"Currently, seven projects worth a total budget of USD 750 million (approx.) are being implemented by USAID in partnership with the Government of India," according to the Finance Ministry annual report for 2023-24.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed USD 97 million (approximately Rs 825 crore) to the seven projects for the fiscal year 2023-24, according to the statement.
The report also includes information on projects funded in 2023-24 from the Department of Economic Affairs, which is part of the Finance Ministry and is in charge of bilateral funding arrangements.
During the year, no funds were allocated to increase voter turnout, but rather to projects related to agriculture and food security, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), renewable energy, disaster management, and health.
It also stated that funds had been committed to the Sustainable Forests and Climate Adaptation Program as well as the Energy Efficiency Technology Commercialization and Innovation Project.
The United States of America's bilateral development assistance to India began in 1951 and is primarily administered by USAID. Since its inception, USAID has provided over USD 17 billion in economic assistance to India across a variety of sectors for over 555 projects.
Political unrest erupted in the country earlier this month after the Elon Musk-led DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) claimed to have cancelled a USD 21 million grant to India to increase "voter turnout".
US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly claimed that USAID, under the previous administration led by Joe Biden, allocated USD 21 million to India for 'voter turnout'.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated on Saturday that the information released by the Trump administration is "concerning" and that the government is looking into it.
The USAID was allowed in India "in good faith, to do good faith activities," and suggestions are coming from America that "there are activities that are in bad faith," Jaishankar stated.
The Congress party, on the other hand, accused the BJP on Sunday of engaging in "anti-national work" by spreading "fake news from America" and claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also have to explain why the government is silent while US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are "insulting" India repeatedly.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in-charge, stated that the BJP is a procession of liars and illiterates.The news about USD 21 million, which the BJP and their bootlickers jumped on, turned out to be false. The USD 21 million in 2022 was intended for Bangladesh rather than 'voter turnout' in India.
