Going To My Friend PM Modi': Trump makes revealation on funding to India
CHANDIGARH: Dragging the Indian PM Narender Modi in the controversy over USAID funding of Dollar 21 million for voter turn out in India, US President Donald Trump on Friday raked up the issue for the third consecutive day and questioned why such a significant amount was spent abroad when a similar sum could have been used to boost voter turnout in the United States.
The statement by Trump has sparked a political debate in India, the Congress and and BJP blaming each other for attempting to influence polls.
In his latest attack, Trump also highlighted separate USAID funding for India and Bangladesh, refuting a report by The Indian Express that claimed the grant was designated for Dhaka, not New Delhi.
"And $21 million going to my friend, Prime Minister Modi, in India for voter turnout. We're giving 21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too, " Trump said.
"$29 million to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh went to a firm that nobody ever heard of. Got 29 million. They got a check. Can you imagine? You have a little firm, you get 10, 000 here, 10, 000 there, and then you get 29 million from the United States government. There are two people working in that firm. Two people. I think they're very happy, they're very rich. They'll be on the cover of a very good business magazine pretty soon for being great, " he added.