Former U.S. President Donald Trump defended the government’s decision to cancel a USD 21 million fund that was meant to support voter turnout efforts in India. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump questioned why American taxpayers should be funding such a program, especially for a country with a strong economy and high tariffs on US goods. “Why are we sending USD 21 million to India? They have a booming economy and some of the highest tariffs in the world when it comes to trade with us. I respect India and its Prime Minister, but why are we spending money on their voter turnout? What about our own elections?” Trump said.
#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
On February 16, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) released a list of government programs that had been cut, including this funding for India. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), DOGE outlined various foreign aid programs that were deemed unnecessary.
Other scrapped funds included USD 29 million for political reforms in Bangladesh and USD 39 million for fiscal policies and biodiversity conservation in Nepal, among other international projects.
Funding controversy sparks political clash in India
The US decision to cut a USD 21 million voter turnout fund for India has ignited a major political debate, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the opposition Congress of compromising national interests. BJP’s IT cell head, Amit Malviya, took to X (formerly Twitter) to allege that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had facilitated foreign influence in India’s institutions.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that the Congress systematically allowed forces that seek to weaken India to infiltrate our institutions,” Malviya wrote.
He also claimed that billionaire investor George Soros, whom he described as a Congress ally, had an influence on India’s electoral process. Facing BJP’s attacks, Congress demanded an investigation into the matter.
“The Congress party firmly opposes any kind of foreign interference in India’s democratic or electoral processes. It should be condemned, and a probe must be conducted,” said senior Congress leader Ajay Maken, as quoted by PTI.
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