India's poll system's credibility well established: MEA on Trump's voter ID praise

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed that India's election system has a strong global reputation. Trump had invoked India's electoral system and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar while making another pitch for mandatory photo identification for voters in the US.

In Short

• MEA stresses India’s election credibility after Trump's remarks
• Trump cites India's election system to support US SAVE America Act
• US Ambassador to India backs Trump's call for stricter voter ID laws

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday gave a measured response to Donald Trump's praise of India's voter identification rules. The MEA said the "credibility and robustness" of India's election machinery are well established globally.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked about Trump's comments during the ministry's weekly press briefing. He responded: "I have no specific comment to make on the remarks. I can say, however, that the credibility and robustness of India's election machinery are well-established facts globally."

Trump had invoked India's electoral system and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar while making another pitch for mandatory photo identification for voters in the US.

TRUMP POINTS TO INDIA'S ELECTION SYSTEM

The US President said Gyanesh Kumar had questioned how elections could be held in the US without valid photo identification.

"Earlier this month, India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration -- How can you have Elections in the US without a valid Photo ID? India's last Election had 646,000,000 Voters! Less than 1 per cent voted by mail, and every single Voter had to have a VALID Photo Identity Document. We need to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, now!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Trump's comments were aimed at bolstering his campaign for the SAVE America Act, a proposed law that would introduce stricter voter registration and identification requirements for federal elections.

The Republican leader has made election integrity a major part of his domestic political agenda. His latest reference to India's system puts the country's election machinery directly into an American debate over voting rules.

US ADMINISTRATION BACKS TRUMP

US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, also echoed Trump's remarks.

"President Donald J. Trump is absolutely correct! 646 MILLION voters, every single one required an ID in India’s last election. Congress should pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT!" Gor wrote on X. His comments followed a meeting between Gor and CEC Gyanesh Kumar earlier this month. The two sides agreed to work closely to deepen cooperation on election management and the training of election staff.

The White House has also strongly backed the legislation. It said the proposed law is intended to ensure that only US citizens participate in federal elections.

"American citizens -- and only American citizens -- should decide American elections," the White House said, describing the SAVE America Act as a "common sense, bipartisan bill."

WHAT THE SAVE AMERICA ACT PROPOSES

The proposed legislation would require voters to provide valid identification and proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It would also introduce restrictions on mail-in voting, allowing it only in circumstances involving illness, disability, military service or travel.

The White House said the legislation would further direct states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls.

"If you want to register to vote in the United States, you have to be a citizen in the United States," the White House said.

The SAVE America Act has become a key legislative priority for the Trump administration. The bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this year but has repeatedly failed to clear the Senate. The push has also revived a long-running political argument in the US over voter identification requirements.

Supporters say stricter ID rules can strengthen confidence in elections and help safeguard election integrity. Critics argue that existing US law already bars non-citizens from voting in federal elections and that additional requirements could make it harder for eligible citizens to vote.

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