In a bold move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced his support for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in scrapping a $21 million aid package intended to boost voter turnout in India. While affirming his respect for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump questioned the need for such funding, stating,
“Why are we giving USD 21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high.”
The decision, announced by DOGE under the leadership of Elon Musk, is part of a larger effort to cut over $750 million in international aid expenditures. The move has ignited discussions on foreign influence in domestic electoral processes, with India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) citing the now-canceled USAID funding as proof of “external interference” in India’s elections.
As part of a broader push for budgetary efficiency, the $21 million allocation for India’s voter turnout program is among several foreign aid cuts designed to curb unnecessary spending. The decision marks a significant shift in U.S. funding priorities and adds to the growing debate on global electoral interventions.
