Elon Musk’s initiative aimed at enhancing government efficiency has sparked significant political unrest in India. This controversy arises from a claim that the US government has been channeling millions of dollars to support Indian elections. In a post shared on Musk’s platform X, Doge, a group established by Donald Trump, reported that a $21m USAid grant intended to boost voter turnout in India was cancelled as part of Trump’s extensive cuts to foreign aid. However, records obtained by the Indian Express indicate that no such funds were actually distributed in India, and USAid has denied the existence of such a program.
Instead, documents reveal that USAid allocated $21m to a non-profit organization promoting political engagement in Bangladesh, amidst severe restrictions imposed on the political opposition in that country. Trump enthusiastically embraced this claim, leveraging it to discredit USAid and justify drastic reductions in the agency’s budget. Musk also praised the move, stating that Doge is “feeding USAid into the wood chipper.”
At an event in Miami, Trump questioned the necessity of spending $21m to enhance voter turnout in India, suggesting that the funds were intended to support someone other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reiterated these allegations at subsequent events, framing it as a “kickback scheme” and criticizing the perceived exploitation of the US by foreign entities.
Trump’s claims about USAid funding had a profound impact in India. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) views such allegations as evidence of international interference aimed at undermining the Indian government, leading to the closure of operations by several international civil society and human rights organizations. BJP leaders strongly condemned the alleged foreign meddling, with Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, affirming Trump’s assertion that there was a bid to influence Indian elections against Modi.
These developments have also raised concerns within India’s civil society, who are apprehensive about the implications of Trump’s allegations on their funding and activities, potentially amplifying the BJP’s campaign against them. In response, the opposition Congress party accused the BJP of spreading “fake news from America” while remaining silent as India faced insults from Trump and Musk. Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh questioned the BJP’s motives, asking why the party would disseminate false information regarding India’s democracy.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/24/musk-doge-claim-usaid-funds-india-trump-modi
