In a surprising development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused elements within the U.S. State Department and what it calls the “deep state” of attempting to destabilize India. The party claims these efforts are being carried out in collaboration with investigative media outlets and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi.
The BJP’s allegations center around the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which has published articles critical of Modi’s government, particularly highlighting the alleged ties between the ruling party and the Adani Group. The opposition Congress party has used these reports to criticize Modi’s administration.
Recently, OCCRP’s investigations included claims that Indian state-sponsored hackers used the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to target government critics, a charge that the Indian government has denied.
The BJP also referenced a French media report stating that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funds OCCRP, asserting that the U.S. government plays a role in influencing the media group’s agenda. The BJP claimed that this funding, along with support from figures like billionaire George Soros, aims to destabilize India by targeting Prime Minister Modi.
Sambit Patra, a BJP spokesperson, reiterated the accusation during a media briefing, stating that OCCRP’s funding from the U.S. State Department makes it a “tool” for carrying out a “deep state agenda” against India. However, OCCRP maintains its independence, stating that while it receives some U.S. funding, it retains full control over its editorial processes.
The timing of these accusations is notable as India and the U.S. have been working to strengthen their bilateral relationship in recent years, despite some differences. The BJP’s claims also come amid growing political tensions in India, particularly following the U.S. indictment of Adani over a bribery scandal, which has led to calls from opposition lawmakers for parliamentary discussions. Both Modi’s BJP and Adani have denied the allegations.
