BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has raised a storm in the Lok Sabha by alleging that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been involved in funding anti-India elements and has close ties with Congress. Dubey demanded a probe into the alleged funding, claiming it was part of a broader effort to promote a “western agenda” and destabilise India. His statements have sparked serious questions about Congress’s connections with global entities like George Soros and the USAID.
The issue of USAID funding to trusts owned by the Gandhi family and individuals closely affiliated with the Congress was raised in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/z6LFMFXZM4
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 10, 2025
The Allegations Against USAID and Congress
During the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused USAID of providing financial assistance to groups and foundations linked to the Congress party, particularly the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF). He further suggested that USAID collaborated with controversial billionaire George Soros to promote what he described as a “liberal” and “woke” culture agenda, which he claimed could destabilise India. The allegations revolve around the question of whether USAID funded projects in India and beyond to further these ideologies.
Has USAID paid Rs 5000 crore to George Soros to destabilise Bharat?
Nishikant Dubey’s biggest accusation revolved around the claim that USAID had transferred approximately Rs 5000 crore to the Open Society Foundation, run by billionaire George Soros. Soros is a well-known philanthropist, but his interventions in political and social causes worldwide have often attracted criticism. Dubey questioned the legitimacy of these transactions, particularly whether they were aimed at destabilising India and promoting a “western” agenda in the country.
Has Soros funded the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation?
Nishikant Dubey went on to question whether George Soros had provided financial support to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation or the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust. These organisations have long been associated with the Congress party, and the connection to Soros has raised suspicions regarding the intent behind such funding. This allegation is of particular concern because it suggests the possibility of foreign influence over Indian political institutions, especially Congress, to promote agendas that could align more closely with foreign interests.
Sam Pitroda’s alleged ties to USAID and US foundations
In October 2009, while Sam Pitroda was appointed as an advisor to then Prime Minister of India, he also co-founded the Global Knowledge Initiative (GKI) in the USA. The organisation’s official website states, “In 2009, three individuals came together to ask a question as relevant then as it is today: How can we build new platforms that unite and amplify people’s abilities to address the challenges most meaningful to them, all while transforming traditional models of the social sector to become more collaborative, open, and innovative?”
The two other co-founders of GKI, Nina V. Fedoroff and Sara Farley, have noteworthy backgrounds. According to IRS 990 forms, both Nina and Sara continue to serve as board members of GKI, Sam Pitroda’s NGO.
Nina V. Fedoroff, a molecular biologist, served as the Science and Technology Adviser to the US Secretary of State. Born in Ohio, Fedoroff earned her PhD in 1972 from Rockefeller University, an institution founded by John D. Rockefeller of the renowned Rockefeller family.
Fedoroff’s contributions to science and policy were widely recognised. In 2001, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation. She went on to serve as Science and Technology Adviser to US Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton. In 2007, President George W Bush awarded her the prestigious National Medal of Science in Biological Sciences for her lifetime achievements in scientific research. She also served as President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) from 2011 to 2012. From 2007 to 2010, Fedoroff worked as an advisor to Rajiv Shah, the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. Her career spans numerous leadership roles, including Director of Agricultural Development, Director of Strategic Opportunities, and Deputy Director of Policy and Finance at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Who is Rajiv Shah?
Rajiv Shah is the current President of the Rockefeller Foundation and previously served as the sixteenth administrator of USAID from 2010 to 2015 under the Obama Administration. Shah was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest honour for non-resident Indians, in 2011 by the President of India during the Congress-led government while he was serving as the administrator of USAID. This series of influential connections, including those between Fedoroff and Shah and their roles at USAID, further deepens the concerns about the intersection of foreign funding, political influence, and policy shaping within India.
The International Context: USAID’s Controversial Role
Dubey’s accusations are not limited to India. He drew attention to the controversy surrounding USAID’s global operations, specifically its involvement in promoting certain social and cultural movements in other countries. For instance, USAID has faced backlash for its funding of transgender initiatives, including concerts and comic books in South American countries. Moreover, USAID’s involvement in the socio-political changes in Nepal, particularly the country’s shift away from a Hindu republic, was cited by Dubey as an example of the agency’s interventionist policies.
The Gandhi family’s links to Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus
Another point raised by Dubey was the alleged relationship between the Gandhi family and Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate from Bangladesh. Yunus is known for his microfinance work, but his political connections have also been questioned. Dubey suggested that the Gandhi family’s ties to Yunus could be part of a larger strategy involving foreign entities seeking to influence South Asian politics.
Vijay Mahajan and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation’s alleged role
Nishikant Dubey also pointed out that the RGF had close ties with Vijay Mahajan, a former banker who has been involved in advocating for certain political agendas in India. Dubey claimed that Mahajan’s role was to destabilise the Indian political landscape, further adding to the accusations of foreign influence being channelled through India-based organisations.
Rural Development Trust and Caste Census Advocacy
Lastly, Dubey highlighted the Rural Development Trust, which has been advocating for a caste-based census in India. He questioned whether this organisation had received funding from USAID and whether its advocacy for caste census policies could be part of a larger scheme to promote division within India. This brings into question the foreign influence over domestic policies and the extent to which external funding may be shaping Indian political discourse.
Has Congress been complicit in Foreign Interference?
Nishikant Dubey’s allegations have brought the Congress party under intense scrutiny. He has raised serious concerns about the party’s relationship with foreign entities like USAID and George Soros, suggesting that these ties could be aimed at pushing foreign interests within India. The call for a probe into these matters could potentially open up a political storm, forcing Congress to answer questions about its dealings with global organisations and the potential impact on Indian sovereignty.
