In a dramatic turn of events, the BJP has hit back at the United States, accusing its “deep state” of collaborating with Opposition leaders and global media to undermine India’s progress and destabilize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The accusations follow mounting scrutiny over the US Justice Department’s indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani, a development the BJP views as part of a larger geopolitical conspiracy.
By PC Bureau
New Delhi:
Amid mounting pressure from the Opposition over the US Department of Justice’s indictment of billionaire Gautam Adani, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which leads the ruling coalition at the Centre, has launched a sharp attack on the United States. The party has accused the US State Department of orchestrating a deliberate campaign to “destabilize India” and “target Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
In a press conference, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged a concerted effort by the “US deep state,” claiming that it was working in collaboration with India’s opposition parties and international media organizations to undermine India’s progress. “It has always been the US State Department behind this agenda,” Patra asserted, signaling a new phase of tension in India-US relations.
A Sensational Development 
The BJP’s accusations come at a time when India’s diplomatic relations with some of its neighbors and several European countries have been under strain. While Prime Minister Modi has consistently hailed the United States as a close ally, the latest attack on the US raises eyebrows, especially against the backdrop of the Justice Department’s indictment of Adani.
The indictment has become a rallying point for the Opposition, with leaders, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, accusing the Modi government of crony capitalism and a deep nexus with the Adani Group. Gandhi has often alleged that Modi’s administration has facilitated undue benefits for the conglomerate, a charge that the BJP has vehemently denied.
BJP Asserts Nexus Between US Deep State, Media, and Rahul Gandhi
Sambit Patra accused elements of the US “deep state” of joining forces with journalists and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in an effort to tarnish the image of the government and disrupt India’s growth story. He described the allegations leveled by these groups as “unsubstantiated and malicious,” suggesting they were aimed at derailing the country’s development trajectory.
Patra criticized the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), claiming its recent reports were part of a coordinated effort to target the Adani Group and its alleged connections to the government. Dismissing the claims as “baseless and without a shred of evidence,” Patra alleged that the OCCRP was being used as a “media tool” to execute the deep state’s agenda.
Implications for India-US Relations
The BJP’s direct attack on the US State Department marks a notable departure from Modi’s usual approach to Washington. Historically, Modi has championed a strong bilateral relationship with the US, leveraging strategic and economic partnerships to bolster India’s global standing.
This sudden shift in rhetoric may reflect deeper concerns within the BJP about the potential fallout of the Adani indictment on India’s international image, particularly in light of Rahul Gandhi’s persistent claims of a Modi-Adani nexus. The tension adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate diplomatic relationship, raising questions about how both nations will navigate this episode.
French Report Fuels Allegations
The BJP cited a French investigative media report to substantiate its claims, stating that 50% of OCCRP’s funding comes from the US State Department and individuals like billionaire philanthropist George Soros. “The Deep State had a clear objective to destabilize India by targeting Prime Minister Modi,” Patra asserted.
He further elaborated that Soros, along with “some agencies of America,” forms a “dangerous triangle” aiming to harm India’s stability. Patra emphasized, “This agenda has been operationalized through OCCRP, which has served as a mouthpiece for their propaganda.”
Rahul Gandhi in the Crosshairs
Patra escalated the attack by accusing Rahul Gandhi of being a “traitor of the highest order.” He alleged that Gandhi has collaborated with foreign forces to tarnish India’s reputation. Highlighting Gandhi’s meetings with controversial figures, Patra said these interactions were part of a broader conspiracy to destabilize the Indian government.
The allegations found resonance in Parliament, where BJP MP Nishikant Dubey echoed similar claims. Dubey accused the Congress party of conspiring with foreign entities out of “hatred for PM Modi.” He called for a thorough investigation into Rahul Gandhi’s interactions during his foreign tours, including meetings with George Soros and US lawmakers like Ilhan Omar, known for their critical stance on Modi’s administration.
“The Congress must explain what transpired in these meetings with individuals who have a history of promoting anti-India agendas,” Dubey declared.
Congress Hits Back, Demands Apology
The BJP’s allegations prompted a strong response from the Congress party, which called the accusations “defamatory” and “outrageous.” Congress MP Shashi Tharoor sharply criticized Nishikant Dubey’s remarks, pointing out violations of parliamentary decorum.
“You cannot attack people in a defamatory manner, name individuals without prior written notice, or misuse parliamentary privilege,” Tharoor said. He called the statements “deeply inappropriate” and demanded an apology.
Tharoor also revealed that the Congress had approached the Speaker to have Dubey’s remarks expunged from the parliamentary records. “The person must apologize for this egregious violation of the rules,” he asserted.
OCCRP Denies Allegations, Asserts Independence
Amid the political uproar, OCCRP issued a statement clarifying its position. While acknowledging “some funding” from the US government, the media organization emphasized its editorial independence.
“The US government, while providing some funding to OCCRP, has no say in our editorial processes and no control over our reporting,” the group stated, according to a Reuters report. OCCRP categorically denied any affiliation with political parties or state-driven agendas.
The Bigger Picture
The BJP’s accusations and the Congress’s sharp rebuttal highlight the growing polarization in Indian politics. While the BJP positions itself as the defender of national sovereignty against alleged foreign interference, the Congress accuses the ruling party of using baseless allegations to divert attention from pressing domestic issues.
As the debate intensifies, questions around foreign funding of media outlets and the role of international actors in India’s political discourse remain under scrutiny. The episode also raises concerns about the use of parliamentary privilege and the boundaries of political rhetoric in India’s vibrant democracy.
Political Fallout and Context
The BJP’s allegations against the US are being interpreted as a counter-offensive, aimed at deflecting attention from domestic scrutiny over the Adani controversy. By framing the narrative as an international conspiracy, the ruling party appears to be attempting to shift the focus from the indictment’s implications on Modi’s leadership and economic policies to a broader geopolitical framework.
This development also underscores the growing politicization of India’s foreign relations, where internal political rivalries increasingly intersect with global narratives. As the Opposition sharpens its criticism and the BJP escalates its defense, the Adani controversy continues to dominate India’s political discourse.
