Biden Admin Was Trying To Get Somebody Else Elected, Need To Tell Indian Govt: Trump

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has hinted at the former administration of his predecessor, Joe Biden, of election interference in India.

“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,” he said in this regard, while speaking at Saudi Arabia government-backed FII Priority Summit in Miami on Wednesday night.

Trump continues to defend the Elon Muk-led Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE)—established under the Trump 2.0 administration— decision to slash $21 million grant for India for increasing “voter turnout” in the country’s election. He had made similar remarks at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday. He had questioned why India was getting the funds when the country’s economic position and trade policies did not warrant it.

“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,” he had said.

“I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout?” Trump had asked.

According to DOGE, the funding also included a $29 million programme to strengthen Bangladesh’s political landscape. Ever since Trump took charge in January, DOGE has cut $8.5 billion in federal spending, according to reports.