The United States reacted strongly on Saturday, December 7, 2024, to allegations by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that the U.S. State Department was behind a series of investigative reports critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and businessman Gautam Adani. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi rejected the accusations, describing them as “disappointing” and reiterating the U.S.'s commitment to media freedom.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy emphasized that the U.S. has always been a global advocate for press freedom, which they described as “an essential component of democracy.” This response followed a series of social media posts by the BJP on the platform X (formerly Twitter), alleging that the U.S. government funded investigative organizations, including the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
The BJP claimed that the OCCRP had produced reports damaging India’s image, including stories linking Modi and Adani to controversial projects in Kenya and Myanmar and allegations surrounding Pegasus spyware and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The party further alleged that the U.S. government influenced these reports through financial backing from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
“It is disappointing that the ruling party in India would make these kinds of accusations,” the U.S. Embassy spokesperson stated, adding that U.S. government programs supporting journalist training do not interfere with editorial independence.
BJP’s Accusations
In its posts, the BJP claimed that the U.S. government used OCCRP as a tool to destabilize India by targeting Modi and linked these reports to a “Deep State” agenda. The BJP also alleged that USAID provides half of OCCRP’s funding and that the organization operates as a media arm of the so-called “Deep State,” a term commonly associated with U.S. intelligence agencies.
The BJP further connected these allegations to broader political developments, citing the presence of USAID Administrator Samantha Power in Uzbekistan at the same time as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and pointing to Gandhi’s visits to the U.S. and U.K. as evidence of a coordinated campaign.
U.S. Response and Context
While denying the allegations of editorial influence, the U.S. Embassy clarified that it works with independent organizations for professional development and capacity building among journalists. These programs, it emphasized, are not designed to sway media coverage.
The exchange comes amid other strains in U.S.-India relations, including recent indictments by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission against Adani Group members for alleged bribery and fraud. The BJP’s accusations also coincide with ongoing controversies surrounding an alleged assassination plot against Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the U.S., which has already drawn sharp exchanges between the two countries.
Political Implications
The BJP’s attack on the Biden administration, which has now been voted out of office, is seen by analysts as a calculated move. With the incoming Trump administration poised to take over, the BJP may be attempting to align itself with a U.S. leadership more critical of its predecessor’s policies. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees, including Kash Patel for FBI Director and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, have frequently criticized the American “Deep State.”
While such allegations of a "Deep State" are not uncommon in Washington, the BJP’s direct references to U.S. government agencies like the State Department and USAID mark a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions.
The Ministry of External Affairs has so far refrained from commenting on the issue, maintaining a cautious distance from both the BJP’s allegations and the U.S. Embassy’s response.
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