The Elon Musk-led US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has cancelled a $21 million allocation intended to boost voter turnout in India. The move, announced Saturday (February 15) is as part of broader international aid reductions.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, DOGE is attempting to carry out a series of budget cuts to reduce federal expenditures. The Department, which oversees government efficiency and spending reforms, also slashed funding for programs in Bangladesh, Mozambique, and other countries.
DOGE posted the cancellation list on social media platform X, stating: “US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled.”
The list specifically named the now-defunded initiative for “voter turnout in India.”
Musk has already spoken of the need for aggressive cost-cutting in the past, warning that the US “would go bankrupt” without significant reductions in federal spending.
The cancellation of voter participation funding is in line with Trump 2.0’s broader fiscal priorities.
In India, the move has sparked some criticism– but not exactly of the cut in funding. Amit Malviya, head of the ruling BJP’s social media wing, questioned what the purpose of US funding for electoral participation in a sovereign democracy was in the first place.
“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!” Malviya wrote.
The decision comes just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, where he met with Trump and Musk to discuss cooperation in technology, space, mobility, and energy.
However, no mention was made of the funding cut in official statements or press conferences following Modi’s meetings.
Instead, during PM Modi’s meeting with Trump and Musk had focused on strategic, defence, and economic partnerships. Modi’s meeting with Musk included discussions on private sector collaboration in space exploration, AI, and electric mobility.
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Elon Musk’s DOGE cancels $21mn funding to India for voter turnout amid budget cuts
