Post Modi Visit: Musk's DOGE cancels funding to India

US President Donald Trump last month chose Musk to head the new government efficiency department. The department announced the cuts in a post on 'X' on Saturday to improve governance and curb wasteful spending.

The department said, "American taxpayers' money was to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled." The list included a grant of US $ 486 million to the "Group for Strengthening Elections and Political Processes", which included US $ 22 million for "inclusive and participatory political process" in Moldova and US $ 21 million for "increasing voter participation in elections in India".

In its post, the department also cancelled allocations of US$29 million for "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh", as well as US$20 million for "fiscal federalism" in Nepal and US$19 million for "biodiversity conservation" there. It also announced cuts to a US$10 million grant for "Mozambique Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision".

In addition, Musk's department announced cuts to other expenditures, including US$2.3 million for strengthening independent voices in Cambodia, US$32 million to the Prague Civil Society Center, US$40 million for the "Center for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment", and US$14 million for "improving public procurement" in Serbia. This also includes US$47 million for "improving learning outcomes in Asia".