’Have respect for PM Modi but…’: Donald Trump on scrapping $21 million ‘voter turnout’ fund to India

Citing India's economic growth and 'high tariffs', the United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday supported the decision of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to scrap the $21 million fund marked for 'Voter Turnout in India'. In a press conference, Donald Trump questioned $21 million to India, saying he has lots of respect for PM Narendra Modi but giving as many as $21 million to India as ‘voter turnout’ fund is not justified.

Donald Trump backed Elon Musk's DOGE decision and said that India is “one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of US”.

“Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high,” Donald Trump said.

“I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving USD 21 million for voter turnout?” asked Donald Trump.

The Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) tweeted on X that $21 million from US taxpayers due to be spent on voter turnout in India has been cancelled. The DOGE tweet said $486 million was to be sent to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,” including $21 million for voter turnout in India, Cnbctv18 reported.

Acknowledging his respect for India and its prime minister, Donald Trump mentioned that India 'has a lot of money' and "it is one of the highest taxing countries in the world."

US cancels $21 millon fund for India

Donald Trump's statement comes days after DOGE posted a list of cancelled US taxpayer-funded initiatives. The list shared on February 16, included the US funding of USD 21 million allocated for "voter turnout in India"

The DOGE, led by Elon Musk, announcement on cancelling USD 22 million in funding intended for "voter turnout in India" was made last Saturday.

"US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled," the Musk-led department announced.

Other funding cancelled by the US department included USD 10 million for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision.”

US' 'voter turnout fund' to India erupts political row

In India, DOGE's announcement sparked a political row with many political leaders questioning the relevance of foreign aid to India for 'voter turnout'.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Amit Malviya called US's '21 million fund for voter turnout' an "external interference in India's electoral process".

"$21M for voter turnout? This is external interference in India's electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!" his post read.

Congress has demanded probe into charges of US funding for raising voter turnout in India.

Senior Congress leader and party treasurer Ajay Maken said his party criticised any foreign intervention in the country's electoral process.

"The Congress party is clear that any kind of foreign intervention in our democratic process or election process is unwarranted and not correct and we oppose it. It needs to be condemned and there should be a probe into it," PTI quoted Maken.

Former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi has denied using US funds to raise voter turnout in India during his tenure, PTI reported.