NEW DELHI, FEB 21:
India on Friday 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 Ministry of External Affairs 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.
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 while addressing
Highlighting the disparity in reactions, he 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 its Prime Minister, 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.”
Following the death of a 20-year-old Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all international students.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of the Nepali student at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology and convey our heartfelt condolences. The Government of India accords high priority to the safety, security, and well-being of all international students in the country. The MEA has been in constant touch with the Odisha government and KIIT authorities since the matter and this situation came to light,” Jaiswal said while addressing a media briefing in Delhi.
The MEA spokesperson added, “We have also maintained close contact with the Nepalese authorities. We have taken several steps with the Odisha government along with the KIIT institutions. The Odisha government has made several arrests of the accused. Cases have been filed. The government of Odisha has also made a high-level fact-finding committee with which appropriate legal and administrative action will be taken going forward.”
“The Orisha government is also taking steps to facilitate the return of Nepali students and ensure their safety, security and participation in academic activities,” he said.
He further said that the Odisha police and local police in Bhubaneswar have also established a 24/7 number for Nepali students. “We remain in regular contact with the Nepalese authority as well as the Odisha government to ensure real-time coordination,” Jaiswal said.
“Nepali students studying in India form an important facet of the enduring People to People ties, links that we share with Nepal. The Government of India will take all necessary actions and steps to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all Nepali students in India,” he concluded.
The third-year B.Tech student was found dead in her hostel room on February 16, following which Nepali students staged a protest, alleging that a fellow student had harassed her and that the college had failed to act despite multiple complaints.
An accused student, identified by police as Advik Srivastava, was arrested on February 17 and sent to judicial custody the same day, according to a press statement by the Police Commissionerate of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack.
