The Trump administration has taken aggressive actions against the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including sending senior officials on leave, terminating contractors, and, most notably, instituting a broad freeze on foreign aid. Elon Musk, who now leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), called USAID a “criminal organisation,” adding in a tweet on February 2, “Time for it to die.” Following this, both the USAID website and its X account were shut down.
USAID has long been seen, at least unofficially, as a tool for advancing US regime change efforts. Established in the early 1960s to oversee humanitarian aid programs, the United States Agency for International Development has often been associated with covert operations, secret funding, and interference in the sovereignty of other nations.
One country where USAID has had significant involvement is India. While substantial funds have flowed directly into India, numerous projects and NGOs backed by USAID operate “internationally,” including within India, often working to undermine the country’s interests, and particularly those of Hindus. For instance, the Atlantic Council, funded by the US deep state and USAID, attempted to influence journalists and “fact-checkers” to spearhead a large-scale campaign aimed at suppressing private messages on platforms like WhatsApp, with the goal of reducing support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. One of the main backers of this initiative was billionaire George Soros, who had also launched a $1 billion fund dedicated to opposing nationalist leaders such as Modi and Donald Trump.
The influence of the US deep state forms a complex and intriguing network with numerous connections and layers. For instance, there is credible evidence indicating that USAID and the broader US deep state hold considerable sway within India’s National Congress. A key figure on this website is Sam Pitroda, a close mentor to Rahul Gandhi and the overseas chairman of Congress, who is believed to have strong ties with these forces.
Over the years, USAID has managed substantial budgets to fund initiatives that ranged from toppling governments to establishing favourable regimes, creating hostile environments for political leaders disliked by left-liberals, and more. Interestingly, a significant portion of US taxpayer money was allocated to these activities. In the 2023 fiscal year alone, the agency oversaw over $40 billion in appropriations, accounting for more than a third of the funds allocated to the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and related programs.
With Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE now challenging USAID, many layers of interference, previously hidden, are being exposed. One of the lesser-known aspects of foreign influence in India is the covert effort to convert indigenous people – specifically Hindus – to Christianity. As this investigation will reveal, USAID plays a significant role in funding these efforts.
World Vision Inc. and USAID – The money trail
In recent years, World Vision Inc. has received significant funding from USAID. Between 2013 and 2022, the organisation was allocated over $1.2 billion from the US government. According to reports, World Vision Inc. received more than $2 billion in total, with a substantial portion of this coming from US taxpayers.
World Vision, one of the largest Christian NGOs, has long been a major recipient of USAID’s funding. In response to the US government’s freeze on foreign aid announced by the Trump administration, several Christian organisations, including World Vision, were impacted. Evangelical and other Christian charities were particularly affected by the cuts, as reported by various outlets. World Vision, along with other prominent Christian organisations, had to adapt to the uncertainty surrounding which programs would still be funded.
The US government’s financial support for Christian organisations like World Vision is substantial. According to former USAID officials, much of USAID’s budget is allocated to grants for specific development projects carried out by faith-based organisations, including Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, and Catholic Relief Services. These funds support a variety of initiatives, including health clinics in Africa and orphan care.
World Vision operates in nearly 100 countries worldwide, employing over 34,000 people, and its presence extends to India, where it promotes itself as a humanitarian organisation focused on child welfare, nutrition, and poverty alleviation. Given that World Vision India is directly funded by USAID, it can be inferred that the Indian branch receives substantial financial support from the US government. An interesting project listed on World Vision’s website is “Pragati,” a joint venture with FHI 360. This project highlights the collaboration between World Vision and other organisations, reflecting the broader network of USAID-funded initiatives.
USAID-Funded World Vision: Predatory proselytisation masked as humanitarian work
One of the primary tactics used by Christian missionaries to spread their faith is exploiting the vulnerabilities of the poor and marginalised. According to the Hinduphobia Tracker, an NGO that tracks religiously motivated hate crimes against Hindus, “Proselytisation by Inducement” refers to the practice of using financial assistance, such as job offers or health care, to induce religious conversion. In these cases, the victims’ economic hardships are manipulated to persuade them to change their religion, with the goal of disenfranchising them from their original faith. This form of exploitation is recognised as a religiously motivated hate crime because the victim’s religious identity is at the heart of the act. Despite World Vision’s public assertions that it does not engage in proselytization, there are several indicators suggesting otherwise.
World Vision’s mission statement explicitly references the organisation’s Christian roots. It states that it is an “international partnership of Christians” with a mission to “follow Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” The statement further outlines the organisation’s work with the “poor and oppressed” to “promote human transformation, seek justice, and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.” One of its key goals is to “encourage people to respond to the Gospel,” indicating that evangelism is indeed a central element of its mission, despite claims to the contrary.
Interestingly, the page on the World Vision website that included this mission statement has been blocked, suggesting an attempt to obscure this information. The URL reveals that the page was specifically geared towards “Churches,” further supporting the idea that proselytization is central to its operations.
Additionally, World Vision operates two primary websites: wvi.org and worldvision.org. While wvi.org is accessible, worldvision.org has been specifically blocked for users in India. Upon examining worldvision.org, it becomes clear that proselytisation is integral to the organisation’s activities. The site features a section dedicated to partnerships with Churches, and it explicitly states that the organisation aims to “mobilise the Church outside its four walls and advance the Kingdom of God.” This directly implies that World Vision seeks to spread Christianity beyond the Church, targeting vulnerable communities.
On wvi.org, there is a section listing “faith-based partners,” including several evangelical organisations. This highlights the organisation’s deep ties with Christian groups focused on religious conversion.
Further evidence of World Vision’s evangelical work in India can be found in a 2010 report by journalist S K Shashikumar. The report details how World Vision New Zealand funded an “ADP” (Area Development Program) in Dahod, Gujarat, which included vacation Bible schools for children, Bible quizzes, and spiritual retreats for youth. The report also highlights how World Vision supported local churches by offering leadership training courses for pastors and church leaders in several regions, including Dumaria, Banka district, and Mayurbhanj in Orissa.
World Vision’s presence in tribal areas, such as among the Bhil people in Gujarat, further confirms its proselytising activities. The Bhils, who practice Hindu traditions, are targeted by World Vision for their perceived need for “spiritual development.” The organisation admits that it works to build trust with the Bhil people by demonstrating “Christian love” and gradually guiding them away from their traditional beliefs.
While World Vision publicly claims not to engage in proselytisation, its activities and mission statement suggest otherwise. The organisation’s close relationship with evangelical groups, as well as its targeted efforts to convert vulnerable communities, paints a picture of predatory proselytisation masked as humanitarian aid.
Behind the Facade of a ‘Humanitarian Organisation’: World Vision-funded terror outfit Hamas
In 2021, the Israeli Registrar of Non-Profits petitioned the Jerusalem District Court to dissolve a local branch of the international aid agency, World Vision, citing financial mismanagement and alleged links to terrorism. A multi-year investigation revealed that World Vision had diverted funds, including to Hamas, rather than implementing its claimed humanitarian projects.
The case centres around Mohammad El-Halabi, World Vision’s Gaza manager, who was accused of channelling $50 million in aid to Hamas. Despite denials from World Vision’s Australian officials, who insisted on proper financial oversight, an independent audit contradicted these claims. The audit uncovered unclear financial transactions, multiple bank accounts, and salary payments that did not align with the organisation’s stated goals. Additionally, non-profit checks were found in the possession of Hamas operatives.
According to Sam Westrop from the Middle East Forum, World Vision also played a role in facilitating funds for an Islamic terror organisation linked to Osama Bin Laden – and USAID was reportedly aware of this activity.
USAID gave $125,000 to the Islamic Relief Agency, a designated terrorist organization in Sudan linked to Bin Laden. And, even worse: USAID officials *knew* it was designated. Another USAID-funded charity @WorldVision, helped to arrange it all. pic.twitter.com/zyDqflA0tq
— Sam Westrop (@samwestrop) February 2, 2025
Action by Modi Government Against USAID-Funded World Vision
In 2022, the Modi government suspended the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) license of World Vision India after it was discovered that the organisation, although claiming to be a humanitarian entity, was operating as a religious organisation. It was found to be accepting foreign contributions under the guise of providing humanitarian aid.
Excl: MHA cancels the FCRA registration of World Vision India, an NGO that focusses on children’s issues. The U.S.-based World Vision is one of the world’s largest Christian voluntary,operational in India for the past 70 yrs,can’t receive foreign donation https://t.co/45SgomZBVL
— Vijaita Singh (@vijaita) January 21, 2024
In January 2024, the Modi government took further action by suspending World Vision’s FCRA license once again, sparking significant outrage among left-wing groups.
