In a controversial statement, former US President Donald Trump suggested that the Biden administration may have attempted to interfere in India’s political landscape, leading to a fierce exchange between the BJP and the Congress party. Trump’s assertion reflects a longstanding belief that the US intelligence community has aimed at influencing foreign governments financially, particularly in countries like India. Reports from senior US officials indicate that similar past actions have occurred, notably during the Cold War.
Trump’s comments followed a defense of the Department of Government Efficiency’s decision to retract a $21 million allocation from USAID intended for “voter turnout” initiatives in India. This funding is part of a wider effort to cut $723 million in foreign aid as the DOGE conducts major budget reforms.
Interestingly, new reports now suggest that the funds in question were actually intended for Bangladesh, rather than India. This revelation has intensified discussions across Indian political circles, with Trump labeling the USAID funding as “a kickback scheme,” although he did not provide supporting evidence for his claims.
The notion of US involvement in India’s electoral processes evokes historical parallels to the American administration under Dwight D. Eisenhower, which allegedly financed the Congress party to destabilize the first Communist government in Kerala during the late 1950s.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF KERALA IN THE COLD WAR ERA
In 1957, Kerala achieved a historic milestone by electing the first non-Congress government led by the Communist Party of India (CPI). This was alarming for the US, as it signaled the potential spread of democratic socialism beyond Soviet influence. During this period, Cold War tensions ran high, motivating the US government to take aggressive measures against perceived communist threats worldwide.
This approach is illustrated by events such as the CIA’s Operation Ajax in 1953, which sought to remove Iran’s Prime Minister, reflecting America’s global strategy of countering communist influence.
Recent discussions surrounding possible US interference have rekindled memories of past CIA operations supporting the Congress party against the Kerala government’s rise in 1959. Historical accounts reveal the US government’s systematic efforts to combat the spread of communism during this tumultuous time.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT IN KERALA
In the 1957 elections, CPI leader EMS Namboodiripad secured victory, enacting progressive education and land reforms. However, these measures faced fierce opposition from various societal factions, culminating in widespread unrest and protests aimed at toppling the government. The situation escalated to police violence, prompting Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to enforce President’s Rule under Article 356, effectively ending the Communist government before its full term.
This instance has been described by historians as a notable misuse of constitutional provisions and a pivotal moment in India’s political history.
US INFLUENCE IN INDIAN POLITICS
Allegations of US interference in India’s democratic process have surfaced repeatedly, with some American officials acknowledging financial support to the Congress party during crucial elections in Kerala and West Bengal in the 1960s. In his memoirs, a former US envoy detailed instances of monetary assistance aimed at curbing communist influence in India.
Thomas Isaac, a CPI(M) leader, alleged having obtained credible evidence linking the CIA to funding efforts for the Congress party, highlighting historical instances where the US actively sought to intervene in India’s political affairs.
This recent political controversy, coupled with Trump’s statements, ignites a renewed examination of America’s historical role in Indian politics, emphasizing a pattern of external influence that dates back several decades.
