US President Donald Trump has questioned the need to provide financial support worth $21 million for voter turnout in India. With its growing economy and high tax rates, India doesn't need support, he said.
His remarks came following the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) decision to cancel $21 million fund marked for 'Voter Turnout in India'.
"Why are we giving $21 million to India? They got 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," Trump said at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
He, however, acknowledged his respect for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently visited the United States.
"I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout? In India? What about voter turnout here?," Trump added.
On February 16, DOGE - led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk - posted a list of cancelled US taxpayer-funded initiatives with a mention of $21 million earmarked 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 announced.
US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled:- $10M for "Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision"- $9.7M for UC Berkeley to develop "a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise driven skills"- $2.3M for "strengtheningDepartment of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 15, 2025
Reacting to the annoucement, BJP's Amit Malviya called the now-cancelled funding 'external interference' in India's electoral process.
"$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India's electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!" his X post read.
Other funding cancelled by the US department included $10 million for Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision, $486M to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening - including $22M for an 'inclusive and participatory political process in Moldova.
In addition, a $29 million intended for strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh and a $39 million for fiscal federalism and biodiversity conservation in Nepal was also cancelled.
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