‘I respect PM Modi but…’: Donald Trump defends move to cancel USD 21 million fund on ‘voter turnout in India’
On February 16, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) released a list of government programs that had been cut, including this funding for India.
Used U.S. President Donald Trump defended the authorities’s choice to execute a USD 21 million fund that became once intended to succor voter turnout efforts in India. Talking from his Mar-a-Lago set in Florida, Trump puzzled why American taxpayers should be funding this kind of program, especially for a nation with a solid financial system and excessive tariffs on US items. “Why are we sending USD 21 million to India? They've a booming financial system and among the very best likely tariffs on this planet relating to exchange with us. I admire India and its Top Minister, but why are we spending money on their voter turnout? What about our own elections?” Trump acknowledged.
#WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, “Why are we giving $21 million to India? They've a lot further money. They're one in every of the very best likely taxing countries on this planet relating to us; we are going to infrequently gather in there because of their tariffs are so excessive. I maintain tons of admire for India… pic.twitter.com/W26OEGEejT
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2025
On February 16, the Department of Government Effectivity (DOGE) released a listing of authorities functions that had been cut, alongside side this funding for India. In a post on X (previously Twitter), DOGE outlined diversified international serve functions that were deemed unnecessary.
Moderately a pair of scrapped funds incorporated USD 29 million for political reforms in Bangladesh and USD 39 million for fiscal insurance policies and biodiversity conservation in Nepal, amongst other international projects.
Funding controversy sparks political conflict in India
The US choice to cut a USD 21 million voter turnout fund for India has ignited a necessary political debate, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Birthday party (BJP) accusing the opposition Congress of compromising nationwide pursuits. BJP’s IT cell head, Amit Malviya, took to X (previously Twitter) to order that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had facilitated international influence in India’s institutions.
“It is a long way popping into an increasing selection of definite that the Congress systematically allowed forces that test to weaken India to infiltrate our institutions,” Malviya wrote.
He moreover claimed that billionaire investor George Soros, whom he described as a Congress ally, had an influence on India’s electoral assignment. Coping with BJP’s attacks, Congress demanded an investigation into the topic.
“The Congress occasion firmly opposes any sort of international interference in India’s democratic or electoral processes. It should be condemned, and a probe should be performed,” acknowledged senior Congress chief Ajay Maken, as quoted by PTI.
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