Washington: US President Donald Trump has cited India’s election system and voter identification requirements while renewing his call for the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which seeks stricter citizenship and voter ID requirements in US elections.
US President Donald Trump has praised India’s voter ID system as he pushes for stricter election rules in America.
"India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, asked our Administration — How can you have Elections in the U.S. without a valid Photo ID? India’s last… pic.twitter.com/lG99YWAfMv
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) August 18, 2026
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, had recently questioned the US administration over the absence of mandatory photo identification for voters in American elections. Trump used the remarks to argue that the US should introduce stricter voter identification measures to prevent what he described as “electoral fraud.”
“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,” Trump wrote.
Trump also pointed to India’s recent general elections, noting that less than one per cent of voters used postal ballots and that voters were required to have valid photo identification documents. His remarks came as he sought greater support for the SAVE America Act. The proposed legislation would require Americans to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote, establish a nationwide voter identification requirement and significantly restrict voting by mail.
“India’s last election had 646,000,000 voters! Less than one 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 asserted.
Sergio Gor Backs Trump
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has backed President Donald Trump’s renewed push for nationwide voter identification requirements under the SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) America Act. Citing India’s 2024 general election as an example of large-scale voter authentication, Gor supported Trump’s argument that universal photo identification can strengthen election integrity and help reform voting procedures in the United States.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “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!”
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! pic.twitter.com/lqQHSZvWk7
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) August 18, 2026
Republican leader Donald Trump has continued to push for the passage of the SAVE America Act, arguing that stricter voter identification and citizenship requirements would help curb electoral fraud. The legislation was introduced in the US Congress on January 29. However, the proposal has faced divisions among both Democrats and Republicans, with the US Senate adjourning for a five-week recess earlier this month without taking concrete steps towards its passage.
According to the White House, the legislation 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.”
The proposed legislation would require voters to provide valid identification and proof of US citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It also seeks to restrict mail-in voting, permitting it only in cases involving illness, disability, military service or travel.
The White House further said the legislation would require states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls, reiterating that only American citizens should be eligible to register to vote in the United States.
“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 administration also compared US election procedures with those in other countries, arguing that the United States has weaker voter authentication safeguards. “India and Brazil tie voter ID to a biometric database, while the United States largely relies on self-attestation for citizenship,” the White House said.
