Aakhir Tak – In Shorts
- Donald Trump hinted at election meddling in India over USAID fund cuts.
- Trump questioned why India needs $21 million to increase voter turnout.
- He raised concerns about India’s need for aid despite its strong economy.
- DOGE cut $723 million in foreign aid, including funding for India.
- The Trump administration intends to shut down USAID, with a $40+ billion budget.
Aakhir Tak – In Depth
Donald Trump has hinted at possible election meddling in India in connection with cuts to USAID funding. Trump’s remarks came as he defended the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) decision to slash a $21 million grant for India aimed at boosting “voter turnout.”
Trump Questions India’s Need for USAID Funding
Speaking at the Saudi Arabia government-backed FII Priority Summit in Miami on Wednesday night, Trump stated, “Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they (Biden administration) were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government. This is a total breakthrough.”
Prior to this, at Mar-a-Lago, Trump questioned why India was receiving these funds, arguing that the country’s economic position and trade policies don’t justify it. He pointed out, “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.”
Respect for the Indian Prime Minister
Trump added, “I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout?”
DOGE’s Cuts to Foreign Aid
On February 16, DOGE, established under the Trump 2.0 administration to oversee and cut government spending, announced a $723 million cut in foreign aid as part of its broader budget overhaul.
The cuts included the $21 million grant for India and a $29 million program aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Intention to Shut Down USAID
Shortly after returning to the White House, President Trump ordered a near-total freeze on all foreign aid. Musk also announced DOGE’s intention to shut down USAID, which has an annual budget exceeding $40 billion, supporting development, health, and humanitarian programs globally, especially in poorer nations.
Since Trump took office in January, DOGE has cut $8.5 billion in federal spending, with individual contract cancellations averaging around $7.7 million. For example, a contract with a non-profit focused on education in Africa was cancelled, highlighting the broad scope of the cuts. This action aligns with Elon Musk’s principles, aiming to reduce government spending and improve efficiency. The Trump administration’s action could spark a new debate on foreign aid for India and other countries. Many experts believe that such cuts could negatively affect developing countries, particularly in areas like health and education.
Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember
- Trump hinted at election meddling in India over USAID fund cuts.
- The necessity of $21 million for voter turnout in India was questioned.
- DOGE cut $723 million in foreign aid, including India’s funding.
- The Trump administration intends to shut down USAID.
- This move could initiate a new debate on foreign aid for India and other nations.
Share this:
Discover more from Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
