Mon Feb 17 06:58:38 UTC 2025: ## US Cuts $486 Million in Foreign Aid, Sparking Controversy Over Alleged Regime Change Attempts

**Washington D.C./New Delhi –** The newly formed US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has slashed $486 million in funding to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), triggering a heated debate about alleged US interference in foreign elections. The cuts, announced February 16th, include $21 million earmarked for voter turnout initiatives in India, sparking accusations of a potential attempt at regime change ahead of India’s 2024 elections.

DOGE’s actions follow months of criticism leveled against the Biden administration by President Donald Trump, who alleges widespread corruption within the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Further fueling the controversy, Vice President JD Vance recently expressed concerns at the Munich Security Conference about potential internal threats to European democracies, hinting at US involvement in regime change operations.

An NDTV investigation, tracing the flow of funds from US government sources and NGO websites, reveals that over $3.7 billion flowed from USAID to CEPPS between 2008 and 2025. CEPPS, now defunct, channeled funds through partner NGOs, including the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), to organizations across the globe.

The $21 million allocated for India, according to the investigation, appears to have been funneled through IFES and NDI to the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), an organization active in the Indian subcontinent. While the exact nature of the projects remains unclear, the BJP has seized upon a 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IFES and the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging involvement of former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi. Quraishi vehemently denies any financial impropriety, stating the MOU contained explicit clauses barring financial obligations.

However, concerns remain regarding NDI’s depiction of a Kashmir not included in India on its website, as well as the presence of former USAID employees and individuals linked to the CIA on its board. ANFREL’s extensive election-related activities in several Asian nations further add to the scrutiny.

The revelation of these funding cuts and the subsequent investigation have prompted calls for a thorough probe into the involvement of the involved NGOs and Indian entities, raising serious questions about the intent and impact of US foreign aid. The controversy highlights a broader debate over the role of US foreign policy and its potential implications for democratic processes worldwide.

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