For decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has projected itself as a key development partner for Bharat, funding initiatives in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and governance. On the surface, this partnership appears to be a testament to Indo-American cooperation, fostering economic growth and social progress. However, beneath this veneer of goodwill lies a more complex reality—one where Bharat has often been maneuvered into a position of dependency, its policies subtly shaped to serve American geopolitical and economic interests rather than its own self-sufficiency.

Monica B Sood, Socio-Economic Analyst and Chairperson of the National Unity and Security Council, explains, “While USAID’s initiatives are portrayed as development support, they often come with strategic conditions that align Bharat’s policies with American interests. These dynamic raises important questions about the long-term impact on Bharat’s self-reliance.”

USAID has been involved in Bharat since its early years of independence when foreign aid was crucial due to food shortages and economic instability. The PL-480 program, which supplied food under American control, demonstrated how aid could be used as leverage. During the Cold War, USAID’s initiatives were often aimed at countering Soviet influence rather than fostering Bharat’s development, linking financial aid to policy changes that aligned Bharat with Western economic models. This pattern continued in various forms, affecting crucial sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and technological infrastructure.

In the name of public health development, USAID has played a double-edged role. USAID has contributed to public health in Bharat by supporting disease eradication and maternal health programs. However, it has also promoted policies favoring Western pharmaceutical companies, limiting Bharat’s capacity to develop affordable local medicines. In agriculture, USAID-backed initiatives have pushed GM crops and corporate farming models, impacting traditional practices and food security. Additionally, “green energy” projects have often been designed to benefit American companies, hindering the growth of Bharat’s own research and industry.

Monica B. Sood adds, “These strategies not only influence Bharat’s economic policies but also affect its traditional systems and local industries. The focus on Western-driven models undermines indigenous solutions and long-term sustainability.”

This silent economic intervention has also extended into governance. USAID funds several think tanks and NGOs that, while ostensibly working for social development, often introduce foreign narratives that subtly shape policymaking. The unchecked influence of such organizations has, at times, created roadblocks for policies that prioritize Bharat’s long-term self-reliance.

A ROADMAP FOR COURSE CORRECTION

To break free from this cycle, India must adopt bold, strategic policies that safeguard national interests while engaging with global partners on equal footing.

RECALIBRATING FOREIGN AID ENGAGEMENT

The government should establish an “India First Aid Policy,” ensuring that every foreign-funded program aligns strictly with Bharat’s long-term economic and technological ambitions. All aid-related agreements should undergo rigorous scrutiny to prevent economic dependencies that undermine sovereignty.

STRENGTHENING INDIGENOUS RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Rather than relying on foreign-funded projects, Bharat must aggressively invest in its own pharmaceutical, agricultural, and green energy sectors. The government should channel more resources into public-private partnerships that boost homegrown R&D, ensuring that domestic enterprises lead the next wave of technological and healthcare advancements.

REGULATING FOREIGN-FUNDED NGOs & THINK TANKS

While civil society plays an essential role in democracy, Bharat must introduce a Foreign Influence Transparency Act, requiring full disclosure of foreign funding in policy advocacy groups and NGOs. This would prevent external forces from shaping domestic policies under the guise of “development.”

PROMOTING BHARAT-CENTRIC AGRICULTURE & HEALTHCARE POLICIES

The push for agroforestry, regenerative farming, and traditional Ayurvedic medicine must be prioritized over Western corporate models. Bharat must create policies that integrate AI-driven agriculture with Vedic farming practices, making the sector resilient and sustainable.

DEVELOPING STRATEGIC GLOBAL ALLIANCES

Bharat must diversify its international partnerships by engaging with ASEAN, BRICS, and Global South nations, ensuring that its growth trajectory remains independent of any single geopolitical bloc. By fostering economic cooperation with these nations, India can create a counterbalance to Western financial influence.

The time has come for Bharat to shift from being a passive recipient of strategically motivated aid to becoming a global powerhouse that engages in partnerships on its own terms. True collaboration is built on mutual respect, not on diplomatic tactics disguised as development. By realigning its policies and asserting its economic and technological independence, Bharat can correct past imbalances and emerge as a self-reliant, sovereign force in the global arena.