Trump cites India's voter ID system in push for US voting law

In mid-August 2026, President Donald Trump repeatedly cited India's voter ID system while pushing for the SAVE America Act, a US bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote. Trump praised Indian elections, saying every voter had a valid ID, and even referenced a question from India's chief election commissioner to make his case.

Indian officials and politicians responded. The Ministry of External Affairs called India's electoral practices "well-established facts," while Congress party members suggested sending India's election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to the US. Meanwhile, Indian commentator Ishaan Tharoor mocked Trump's pitch, questioning what "MAGA really cares about."