‘Are we closing down our embassies?’: Chidambaram alleges Sitharaman is doing a Musk on MEA

Congress chief P Chidambaram on Monday took a swipe at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman , questioning whether or not she was doing an Elon Musk by chopping the finances for the Exterior Affairs Ministry.

Throughout the dialogue on the Union Finances 2025-26 within the Rajya Sabha, Chidambaram inquired concerning the causes behind the diminished allocations for the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) and whether or not the federal government is planning to shut embassies and consulates, thereby diminishing India’s international presence.

“The finance minister requested this Home to acceptable Rs 20,517 crore for the Ministry of Exterior Affairs. In FY 2023-24, we allotted Rs 28,915 crore, within the present 12 months (FY 2024-25) the revised estimate is 25,277 crore, virtually 3,600 crore much less,” he stated.

He added, “And for subsequent 12 months, the finance minister is asking for Rs 20,517 crore, one other 5,300 crore much less. I think that the finance minister is doing an Elon Musk on the Exterior Affairs Ministry. Someone should clarify, are we shrinking our world presence? Are we closing down our embassies?” he requested.

The Congress chief additionally stated that the Union Finances was “politically pushed”. “It’s apparent that the Finances was politically pushed, I shall not elaborate on that. There was no philosophy behind the Finances,” stated Chidambaram.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is accountable for the US Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) arrange by President Donald Trump after profitable his second time period to chop authorities expenditure, and run it extra effectively and in a financially viable method.

With inputs from businesses