The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, has announced a series of budget cuts, including a $21 million grant aimed at boosting voter turnout in India.
The decision, revealed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, is part of a broader effort to reduce wasteful expenditures, a key mandate of the newly formed department. President Donald Trump appointed Musk to head DOGE last month, tasking him with streamlining government spending.
In addition to the India voter turnout program, the DOGE also scrapped several other international grants, including:
- $29 million for strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh
- $22 million for an inclusive political process in Moldova
- $20 million for fiscal federalism in Nepal
- $19 million for biodiversity conservation in Nepal
- $47 million for improving learning outcomes in Asia
Other cuts targeted funding for civil society organizations, gender equality initiatives, and public procurement programs in various countries, with no further details provided.
The move comes days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, where he held talks with President Trump and Musk. Their discussions focused on technology, energy, space, and governance collaboration between the two nations.
In India, the decision to cancel the voter turnout grant has sparked political debate, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress of relying on foreign funding for electoral processes.
The cuts also raise broader questions about US involvement in global political and governance initiatives, as Trump’s administration appears to be shifting focus towards domestic priorities.
With funding slashed across multiple international programs, it remains to be seen how these decisions will impact diplomatic relations and ongoing projects in affected countries.