USAID funding is troubling & raises concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs: MEA

The External Affairs Ministry yesterday said that the recent statements about USAID funding are troubling and lead to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs. 

Briefing the media in New Delhi yesterday, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter. He said this while replying to a query on US President Donald Trump’s remarks about USAID funding.

The External Affairs Ministry said that the Indian Mission in Panama is in touch with the local authorities regarding the Indian nationals brought to Panama and Costa Rica on deportation flights from the US. Replying to media queries, Mr. Jaiswal said they are verifying details to determine whether the individuals concerned are Indians or not. He added that once verified, the Indian nationals will be brought back. When asked whether Indians are being picked up at will in the US, Mr. Jaiswal said that the people who have been sent back to Panama were staying in the US



illegally.

On the US flights carrying Indian deportees to Amritsar, the spokesperson said that India had shared its concerns with the US government. He informed that New Delhi has emphasised that those being deported should be treated humanely and that their religious sensitivities should also be taken into account. Mr. Jaiswal said that on the flights that landed in Amritsar on the 15th and 16th of February, children and women were not subjected to any form of shackling.

Mr. Jaiswal also said that the government of India accords high priority to the safety, security, and well-being of all international students in the country. He said the ministry has been in constant touch with the Odisha government and KIIT authorities since the matter of the death of a Nepali girl came to light. He said the ministry is in close contact with the Nepalese authorities. Mr. Jaiswal said the Odisha Police have made several arrests, including the accused, and cases have been filed against them.