Sun Feb 16 07:32:59 UTC 2025: ## Musk’s DOGE Cancels $21M US Grant Aimed at Influencing Indian Elections

**Washington D.C./New Delhi –** Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has canceled a $21 million grant intended to influence voter turnout in India, sparking immediate backlash from the BJP. The funds, allocated under the previous Biden administration, were part of a larger $486 million budget for the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening. The cancellation is part of a wider DOGE initiative to cut $200 million in overseas spending deemed inefficient or questionable.

Other projects axed include: $47 million for Asian education, $40 million for a gender equality hub, and millions more in initiatives across Asia, Europe, and Africa. The total cuts amount to approximately $200 million. A DOGE statement cited a need for improved government efficiency and responsible use of taxpayer money.

The BJP has strongly condemned the cancelled Indian grant, labeling it “external interference” in India’s electoral process. BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya accused foreign forces, particularly George Soros and his Open Society Foundation, of attempting to influence Indian politics. Malviya highlighted a 2012 MoU between India’s Election Commission and an organization linked to Soros’s foundation, further fueling allegations of foreign meddling. He claimed this signifies a systematic infiltration of Indian institutions.

The cancellation also comes amidst heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh following the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh. A previous $29 million US grant earmarked for strengthening Bangladesh’s political landscape has also been rescinded. This follows President Trump’s denial of “deep state” involvement in the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a claim that has not fully allayed concerns about US influence in the region. India has expressed worry about increased attacks on religious minorities under the new Bangladeshi leadership.

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