According to a news report, Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros' organisations have obtained $260 million from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to influence Indian political affairs and destabilise countries such as India, Bangladesh, and others.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), an account associated with Trump claimed, “George Soros received $260,000,000.00 from USAID and used this money to spread chaos, change governments and personal gain in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Syria, Iran, Pakistan, India, UK, and the US.” His comments contribute to the increasing scrutiny of US foreign aid, especially after the Trump administration imposed a freeze on USAID’s budget.

These allegations have sparked discussions in the parliament about how foreign aid impacts a country's internal affairs.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey sparked controversy in Parliament by bringing up the issue of USAID funding being directed to trusts linked to the Gandhi family and individuals closely associated with the Congress on Monday, February 10. 

Later, Dubey posted in X, “Since independence, Congress has only worked to divide the country. Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and many NGOs took money from USAID to benefit anti-national elements. The opposition wants to divide the country.”

While addressing Parliament, Nishikant Dubey stated that U.S. President Donald Trump had shut down USAID, accusing the agency of primarily using its funds to orchestrate regime changes over the years. He questioned whether USAID had provided ₹5,000 crores to George Soros' Open Society Foundation to create divisions in India.

During Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Dubey further alleged that organisations funded by USAID were involved in protests against the government's Agniveer initiative, promoted the demand for a caste census, and supported Naxalism in India.

His comments sparked strong opposition from Congress members, who tried to raise a point of order. However, presiding officer Sandhya Ray blocked their attempt, explaining that such rules do not apply during Zero Hour.

Dubey’s statements in Parliament also link Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, and various U.S. government agencies and foundations through his NGO, the Global Knowledge Initiative (GKI). Pitroda’s GKI received financial support from USAID, the U.S. State Department and the Rockefeller Foundation. The report also pointed out that two of GKI’s co-founders, Nina V. Fedoroff and Sara Farley, had significant ties to the U.S. government and the Rockefeller Foundation, raising concerns about their possible influence on Indian political figures, particularly Rahul Gandhi, due to these associations.

Sam Pitroda, a close associate of the Gandhi family and Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, has been coordinating Rahul Gandhi’s international engagements. Although he was once a U.S. citizen, he gave up his citizenship at Indira Gandhi’s request and later served as an advisor to former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In 2009, during his advisory role under Singh, Pitroda co-founded the Global Knowledge Initiative (GKI) in the U.S. along with Nina V. Fedoroff and Sara Farley, who have strong connections to the U.S. government and global foundations.