Modi’s BJP claims the US State Department is targeting India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has leveled accusations against the U.S. State Department and certain “deep state” actors, claiming they are attempting to destabilize India in collaboration with investigative journalists and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. This assertion is unexpected, given the robust relationship that has developed between New Delhi and Washington over the past two decades, with both nations committed to enhancing their partnership despite existing differences.

The Congress party, led by Gandhi, has utilized articles from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which have focused on the Adani Group and its purported ties to the government, to challenge Modi’s leadership, according to the ruling party’s statement on Thursday. Last month, Gautam Adani and seven others were indicted in the U.S. for allegedly participating in a $265 billion bribery scheme involving Indian officials, a claim that the Adani Group has dismissed as unfounded.

Additionally, OCCRP’s reports have accused state-sponsored hackers in India of employing Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to target critics of the government. The Indian government has previously refuted both of these allegations. The BJP has also accused Gandhi, the OCCRP, and 92-year-old billionaire philanthropist George Soros of orchestrating attacks against Modi. On Thursday, the party referenced a French media report suggesting that OCCRP receives funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development and other “deep state” figures, including Soros.

The BJP asserted in a series of posts on X that “The Deep State aimed to undermine India by focusing on Prime Minister Modi.” They claimed, “The U.S. State Department has consistently been behind this initiative… OCCRP has acted as a media instrument for advancing a deep state agenda.” Sambit Patra, a national spokesperson for the BJP, reiterated these allegations during an official media briefing on Thursday.

Patra stated, “A French investigative media organization has disclosed that 50% of OCCRP’s funding originates directly from the U.S. State Department.” He emphasized, “OCCRP has acted as a media instrument for advancing a deep state agenda.” Requests for comments from the State Department, U.S. AID, Soros, and the Congress party went unanswered. The Indian foreign ministry also did not respond to inquiries regarding the ruling party’s claims against the State Department.

In response, OCCRP issued a statement asserting its independence as a media outlet, denying any affiliation with political parties. “While the U.S. government provides some funding to OCCRP, it does not influence our editorial decisions or control our reporting,” the statement read.

The government has recently faced scrutiny following the U.S. indictment of Gautam Adani, whom opposition leaders allege Modi has consistently shielded. Additionally, the parliament experienced multiple suspensions last week as opposition lawmakers called for discussions on the matter. Both Modi’s BJP and Adani have refuted the allegations.