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Why Does The US Pressure India? Major Samar Toor's View, Fact-Checked
"Not interest. Insecurity."
On the Accompany Akki podcast, former Army officer Major Samar Toor spoke with host Akash Kumar about why he believes the US pressures India, and what India's rise means. Here are his views, with context and fact-checks.
His main argument: India's rise creates insecurity
According to Major Toor:
• India's economy has grown from around the 10th largest to the 5th.
• BRICS discussions about moving away from the dollar unsettle the US.
• This makes the US wary of a stronger, more independent India.
Context: India has generally said it is not seeking to replace the dollar, while promoting trade in local currencies where useful.
India as the alternative to China
Major Toor says the world wants to move away from China's labour-intensive manufacturing, and India is the next best alternative because of its large, young population. He also raised concerns about China's record on intellectual property.
Context: This reflects the "China plus one" strategy many global companies follow to diversify supply chains.
Why is the rupee weak despite growth?
Major Toor asked why the rupee is around 95 to the dollar despite India's economic rise.
Key factors include:
• A trade deficit, with imports, especially oil, exceeding exports
• High demand for dollars
• Global capital flows
• The fiscal deficit
He believes the overall strategy needs to be re-evaluated.
India's independent stance on Russian oil
• Major Toor says India will buy Russian oil if it meets its energy needs.
• He sees inconsistency in US policy: encouraging India's purchases at one point to stabilise prices, then threatening tariffs for them later.
Context: This reflects India's long-standing policy of strategic autonomy.
Fact-check: the $21 million "voter turnout" claim
In the clip, Major Toor referred to President Trump's claim that the US spent $21 million on India's elections, linking it to the 2024 election result.
• Fact-checks by The Indian Express and The Washington Post found the $21 million USAID-linked grant was for Bangladesh, not India.
• India's Ministry of External Affairs later told Parliament that USAID did not provide $21 million for voter turnout in India.
• Citing the US Embassy, it said USAID had not funded or carried out voter turnout activities in India between fiscal years 2014 and 2024.
Verdict: The claim that the US funded voter turnout in India is not supported by evidence.
Claims to treat with caution
Major Toor also suggested that foreign "deep states" try to create internal problems in India and referred to US interventions in Latin America. Some historical US interventions are documented, but broad claims about current covert actions are hard to verify.
Why this matters for young professionals
• Supply-chain shifts could create manufacturing and logistics jobs in India.
• Currency movements affect salaries, savings and overseas education costs.
• Oil decisions influence inflation and fuel prices.
• Trade tensions can affect export-driven industries.
Key takeaways
• Major Toor sees US pressure as driven by insecurity over India's rise.
• India is widely seen as a key alternative to China for manufacturing.
• The rupee's weakness is driven by trade and capital factors.
• India continues to follow a policy of strategic autonomy.
• The $21 million voter turnout claim has been officially refuted.
Watch the full episode: [Full episode link]
Join the Accompany Akki WhatsApp channel: https://wa.openinapp.co/a46ji
Do you agree that India's rise is making other powers uneasy?
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