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The Elon Musk-led DOGE in its latest move under the Donald Trump administration cancelled millions of dollars in funding for several countries, including the $21 million intended for “boosting voter turnout in India.”
Elon Musk At DOGE Office | File Image/X
Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has announced its latest move to reduce expenditures by cancelling millions of dollars in funding for various countries, including the $21 million allocated for “voter turnout in India.”
The BJP responded sharply to the development, alleging “external interference in India’s electoral process.” The party further asked: “Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!”
The DOGE authorities said that the US has decided to slash a $21 million program designed to increase voter turnout in India and a $29 million initiative aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s political landscape.
“US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled,” the Musk-led department announced on X.
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 “strengthening…— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 15, 2025
Elon Musk has repeatedly stated that “America would go bankrupt” without budget cuts, and this initiative appears to align with the budget overhaul the Trump administration has been planning.
It comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump in the White House for a bilateral-level talks and both leaders made significant announcements to strengthen India-US relations. However, the DOGE’s latest move didn’t find any mention in the joint statement or the press conference.
In Bangladesh, the $29 million initiative aimed to promote political stability and strengthen democratic governance. The country has been facing a political crisis, with the military ousting the Sheikh Hasina-led government amid violent protests.
BJP Responds
BJP’s Amit Malviya reacted to the announcement, saying, “- $486M to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,” including $22M for “inclusive and participatory political process” in Moldova and $21M for voter turnout in India. $21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!”
– $486M to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,” including $22M for “inclusive and participatory political process” in Moldova and $21M for voter turnout in India.$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral… https://t.co/DsTJhh9J2J
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 15, 2025
Notably, the Musk-led DOGE not only targeted India and Bangladesh but also other countries.
These nations include Liberia, where a $1.5 million program aimed at boosting voter confidence was scrapped; Mali, which saw $14 million in social cohesion initiatives get the axe; Nepal, where $20 million earmarked for fiscal federalism was cancelled; and Southern Africa, which lost $47 million in funding for improving learning outcomes. Additionally, Cambodia and Serbia are also among the countries affected by DOGE’s actions.
