The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, has ignited controversy by announcing the cancellation of US$21 million in funds originally allocated to boost voter turnout in India. This decision is part of a broader initiative by DOGE, which has revoked funds meant for global projects under the Biden administration, including US$29 million for enhancing the political landscape in Bangladesh and US$20 million for fostering fiscal federalism in Nepal.
The revelation has stirred strong reactions in India, particularly among senior political advisors. Sanjeev Sanyal, a key adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a member of the Economic Advisory Council, has been particularly vocal. In a post on social media, Sanyal questioned the transparency of the US funding, demanding to know who in India had received the US$21 million. He went on to label USAID as “the biggest scam in human history,” highlighting serious concerns over foreign interference in India’s electoral process.
Sanyal’s remarks have added fuel to the already heated debate on external influence in Indian politics. His comments were met with a strong rebuttal from SY Quraishi, the former Chief Election Commissioner of India, who dismissed the allegations as baseless. The controversy has further intensified the ruling BJP’s stance against what it perceives as foreign meddling in Indian affairs. Party spokesperson Amit Malviya has accused external forces, including billionaire investor George Soros, of infiltrating Indian institutions, suggesting that previous administrations enabled such influences to weaken the country.
This latest development underscores the sensitivity surrounding foreign funding in Indian politics and the ongoing scrutiny over the involvement of international agencies like USAID in the nation’s political processes. The cancellation of these funds by DOGE has not only raised questions about accountability and transparency but has also deepened the debate over national sovereignty and foreign interference.
