USAID: A Tool for Global Influence and Destabilization?

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long been at the center of global operations, often under the guise of humanitarian assistance and development aid. However, a closer examination of USAID’s activities reveals a more intricate web of geopolitical influence, regime change operations, and indirect funding of organizations that have been linked to destabilization efforts in various regions, including India.

USAID’s Alleged Role in Undermining India

Recent findings suggest that USAID has been involved in funding operations that exploit India’s fault lines, including religious, caste, and political divisions. According to DisinfoLab, USAID channels its funds through advocacy groups, U.S. federal commissions, NGOs, and philanthropic networks that work against Indian interests.

One major concern is USAID’s association with George Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF). Between 2002 and 2022, USAID funneled over $16.23 million to OSF-backed institutions and $27.05 million to the Tides Foundation, both of which have been involved in funding interference operations worldwide.

Funding Terror-Linked Organizations

USAID has also been linked to organizations that have questionable associations with extremist and separatist elements. OSF, which receives funding from USAID, has supported Islamist groups, including those with direct or indirect ties to terrorist organizations. Some notable examples include:

• Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – Received $366K from OSF.

• Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) – USAID-funded OSF has backed ISNA, which was banned in Canada for financing terrorist activities in Kashmir.

• Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) – Funded by USAID with $110K and linked to Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed.

• Muslim Aid – Received $1.5 million from USAID despite being run by individuals with ties to war criminals and ISI operatives.

  

  
  

Media and Narrative Manipulation

USAID’s influence extends to global media networks. In 2021, BBC carried a report from the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR), which sought to project Khalistani separatists as activists and legitimize their anti-India agenda. Notably, CIR’s operations were funded by USAID.

The agency has also been accused of funding narrative-shaping projects ahead of India’s 2024 elections. Organizations like the Henry Luce Foundation and The Asia Foundation, both of which receive substantial USAID backing, were allegedly involved in crafting misinformation campaigns against India.

Targeting India’s Stability through NGOs and Activism

USAID’s footprint is also evident in India’s internal conflicts, including in Kashmir. The U.S.-based Mercy Corps, which operates in conflict zones, received funding from the Tides Foundation for relief efforts in Kashmir. However, its Kashmir Program Director, Usman Rahim Ahmad, was linked to the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), a separatist group, leading to his deportation from India in 2012.

Furthermore, USAID-backed organizations have been accused of fueling caste divisions. OSF and the Tides Foundation have funded Equality Labs to amplify caste fault lines through questionable surveys and reports, furthering social discord in India.

Geopolitical Implications and the Need for Vigilance

The overarching pattern emerging from USAID’s financial activities suggests a deliberate attempt to interfere in India’s domestic affairs through NGOs, media manipulation, and funding groups with extremist leanings. While USAID officially operates under the banner of development aid, its financial footprint raises serious questions about its true intentions.

As India continues to strengthen its global standing, it is imperative for policymakers to scrutinize foreign funding sources, particularly those linked to USAID and its affiliated entities. Ensuring transparency in foreign donations and maintaining strict oversight over international NGOs operating in India will be crucial in safeguarding national security and sovereignty.