Washington, D.C. – The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the leadership of Elon Musk, has announced the cancellation of a $21 million funding initiative aimed at increasing voter turnout in India. The move is part of a broader reduction in international aid programs as the administration prioritizes fiscal tightening.
In an official statement on social media platform X, DOGE disclosed a list of taxpayer-funded initiatives that have been scrapped. "US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled," the post read, specifically highlighting the $21 million previously allocated for voter participation efforts in India.
The decision aligns with the budgetary priorities of the Trump administration, which has emphasized reducing government expenditures. Musk, who has been vocal about the need for fiscal discipline, recently stated, "America would go bankrupt without significant cuts to federal spending." As part of this strategy, several international programs, including those in Bangladesh and Mozambique, have also been defunded.
Political Reactions and Global Implications
The cancellation comes shortly after President Donald Trump met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss deepening bilateral ties. While official statements from both sides emphasized collaboration in innovation, space exploration, and artificial intelligence, the voter turnout funding cut was notably absent from their discussions.
The move has sparked debate in India. Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT Cell, took to X to question the intent behind the funding. "USD 21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India's electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!" he wrote.
Wider Budget Cuts
The DOGE-led spending reductions extend beyond India, impacting a range of international initiatives, including:
- $29 million for "strengthening the political landscape" in Bangladesh
- $39 million for "fiscal federalism" and "biodiversity conservation" in Nepal
- $10 million for "voluntary medical male circumcision" in Mozambique
- $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 cuts reflect DOGE's broader mandate to streamline federal expenditures and reallocate resources domestically.
Modi-Musk Meeting: Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
As part of Modi's recent visit to the United States, he held discussions with Elon Musk on enhancing collaboration between Indian and American enterprises. Their dialogue covered advancements in space exploration, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
A statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the discussions: "The Prime Minister and Mr. Musk explored avenues to deepen cooperation in innovation, emerging technologies, and governance." Musk was reportedly accompanied by three of his children during the meeting.
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