<h1>P. Chidambaram criticizes budget cuts in Ministry of External Affairs, compares Finance Minister's approach to Elon Musk's strategy.</h1> Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram questioned the reduction in the Ministry of External Affairs' budget, suggesting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman might be adopting a cost-cutting approach similar to Elon Musk's. During the Union Budget 2025-26 discussion, Chidambaram highlighted that the MEA's budget decreased from Rs 28,915 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 25,277 crore in the current year, with a further reduction to Rs 20,517 crore proposed for the next year. He humorously speculated whether this could lead to a decrease in India's global diplomatic presence, including potential closures of embassies and consulates.