The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by Elon Musk, announced on Saturday that it has canceled a $22 million funding initiative aimed at increasing voter turnout in India. This decision is part of broader cuts in international aid, affecting various programs in countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Mozambique.
In a post on social media platform X, the official DOGE account released a list of US taxpayer-funded projects that have been halted. “US taxpayer dollars were scheduled to be used for the following items, all of which have been discontinued,” the statement noted, particularly highlighting the removal of $21 million designated for “voter turnout in India. ”
This move aligns with the Trump administration’s initiatives to cut the budget, which seek to restrict government expenditures. Elon Musk, at the helm of DOGE, has repeatedly warned that “America would go bankrupt” without substantial cuts to federal spending. As a result, the $21 million originally planned to encourage voter participation in India’s elections will no longer be funded.
The announcement follows closely after a conversation between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two leaders discussed improving bilateral relations across various fields. However, there was no mention of the cancellation of the voter turnout funding in any official announcements or press briefings following their meeting.
BJP’s Response
Amit Malviya, the BJP’s head of social media, voiced concerns regarding the funding and questioned its effect on India’s electoral process. “USD 21M for voter turnout? This undeniably is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who stands to gain from this? Certainly not the ruling party! ” Malviya remarked on X.
Other DOGE Budget Cuts
Alongside the funding reduction in India, many other projects have also been phased out, including:
– $29 million for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh”
– $39 million for “fiscal federalism” and “biodiversity conservation” in Nepal
– $10 million for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision”
– $1. 5 million for “voter confidence” in Liberia
– $14 million for “social cohesion” in Mali
– $2. 5 million for “inclusive democracies in Southern Africa”
– $47 million for “improving learning outcomes in Asia”
These budget cuts reflect DOGE’s persistent efforts to assess governmental spending, with Musk and his team identifying areas for financial cuts.
Modi-Musk Meeting
During Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit, he engaged with Elon Musk to explore ways to strengthen collaboration between Indian and US organizations in sectors including innovation, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.
They also examined prospects for enhancing cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and governance reforms. Musk was accompanied by three of his children during the meeting.
A statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the discussions, stating, “The Prime Minister and Mr. Musk talked about enhancing collaboration between Indian and US entities in innovation, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development. Their conversation also included opportunities to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and good governance. “
