The Donald Trump administration, through its cost-cutting body, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has announced the cancellation of several overseas funding programs, including a $29 million initiative intended to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh. Led by billionaire Elon Musk, DOGE aims to eliminate what it considers unnecessary federal expenditures to save taxpayer money. The decision to scrap this particular funding has drawn significant attention, especially given the political turmoil that followed the ousting of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year. The cancellation comes just days after President Trump denied allegations of U.S. involvement in Bangladesh’s regime change, which saw Hasina removed following mass student-led protests. During a press briefing after his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump dismissed claims that the U.S. had played a role in installing Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as Bangladesh’s chief adviser. When asked whether the previous Democratic administration under Joe Biden had engineered the change, Trump responded vaguely, stating, There is no role for our deep state. This is something the Prime Minister has been working on for a long time. He further implied that the matter was under Indias influence, adding, I will leave Bangladesh to the PM.

The now-cancelled Bangladesh program, previously funded by USAID and the United Kingdom’s former Department for International Development, was designed to enhance political party capacities, foster engagement between political parties and their constituents, and reduce political violence. According to Democracy International (DI), the initiative provided training for political activists and citizens, equipping them with leadership and advocacy skills while encouraging peaceful political participation. The program also monitored incidents of violence and worked to mitigate conflicts involving political parties, grassroots activists, and university students. The political climate in Bangladesh has been volatile since Hasina fled Dhaka in August 2024 amid large-scale anti-government protests. Relations between India and Bangladesh have worsened in the months following her departure, with the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, facing criticism for failing to curb attacks on religious minorities by radical Islamist groups. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s relationship with the United States remains uncertain. However, Chief Adviser Yunus recently revealed ongoing discussions with Tesla CEO Elon Musk about launching Starlink satellite internet services in Bangladesh. During a video conference, Yunus invited Musk to visit the country for the potential launch, to which Musk responded positively, saying, I look forward to it.

The budget cuts by DOGE extend beyond Bangladesh. In a recent post on X, DOGE outlined multiple Biden-era international funding programs that have been scrapped, including $22 million allocated for voter turnout in India and $39 million designated for fiscal federalism and biodiversity conservation in Nepal. These cuts are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to drastically reduce government spending and restructure federal budget allocations. Nepal’s Fiscal Federalism program, which has now been defunded, was established after the country adopted a federal governance system in 2015. The program aimed to ensure that public spending was authorized through parliamentary consent, aligning with Nepal’s constitutional provisions on financial governance at the federal, provincial, and local levels. DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures have reshaped the U.S. government’s approach to international financial aid. In recent weeks, Musk’s department has been scrutinizing federal agencies for spending reductions in line with Trump’s commitment to overhaul and shrink government operations. While supporters view these cuts as a move toward fiscal responsibility, critics argue that they could undermine diplomatic relations and development initiatives in affected countries.

Disclaimer: This Image is taken from ANI News.