United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) decision to cancel a $21 million fund for “voter turnout in India”, asking the need to allocate such a fund to India, which he said is “one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us”.
He expressed respect for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he criticised the need for funding voter turnout initiatives in the country.
“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. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving USD 21 million for voter turnout?” Trump said while signing executive orders at Mar-a-Lago.
#WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, “Why are we giving $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. I have a lot of respect for India… pic.twitter.com/W26OEGEejT
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2025
Trump’s remarks come after Elon Musk-led DOGE on February 16 announced the cancellation of a USD 22 million funding intended for “voter turnout in India”, which was allocated from the US taxpayers’ money.
In a post on X, DOGE shared a list of the expenditures it had decided to scrap, which included “USD 21M for voter turnout in India.”
“US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled,” the Musk-led department said.
This triggered a massive controversy in India as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party slammed the opposition Congress, with Amit Malviya questioning the intent behind the funding’s need.
“$21 million for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!” he said in a post on X.
“It is becoming increasingly evident that the Congress-led UPA systematically enabled the infiltration of India’s institutions by forces opposed to the nation’s interests – those who seek to weaken India at every opportunity,” BJP IT cell head added.
He also alleged that US-based investor George Soros’ involvement in it, saying his “shadow looms over our electoral process” as he targeted Congress and the Gandhis.
The Congress demanded a probe following attacks from the BJP. Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken said the grand old party is “clear” that any foreign intervention is “unwarranted” as he voiced his opposition against it.
“The Congress party is clear that any kind of foreign intervention in our democratic process or election process is unwarranted and not correct and we oppose it. It needs to be condemned and there should be a probe into it,” PTI quoted Maken as saying.
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