Sambit Patra.
New Delhi: In a dramatic claim, the Bharatiya Janata Party has accused the United States of orchestrating a sophisticated campaign to undermine India’s governmental integrity, triggering a swift and categorical rejection from Washington.
During a charged media briefing on Wednesday, BJP spokesman Sambit Patra levelled serious allegations against the US state department, claiming it was collaborating with “deep state” elements to destabilize India’s political landscape. The accusations centre on the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), an independent journalism organization which Patra suggested was being weaponized as a “media tool” against the Indian government.
Patra pointed to reports suggesting that up to 50% of OCCRP’s funding originates from the US state department, framing this as evidence of a coordinated attempt to tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reputation. The allegations strategically connect several high-profile actors, including billionaire George Soros and the opposition Congress party, painting a picture of an intricate international conspiracy.
The accusations are particularly focused on recent OCCRP investigative reports concerning the Adani Group, which have been prominently cited by opposition leaders, like Rahul Gandhi, to criticize the Modi government’s corporate relationships.
Responding swiftly, the US state department categorically dismissed the claims as “baseless”. In a statement issued on Saturday, a department spokesperson expressed disappointment at the allegations, emphasizing the robust and strategic nature of US-India bilateral relations.
The OCCRP itself has robustly defended its journalistic integrity, stressing its editorial independence despite receiving funding from sources like USAID. The organization unequivocally rejected suggestions of political manipulation or bias.
This diplomatic row emerges against a backdrop of increasingly complex geopolitical dynamics. India and the United States, while maintaining a strategic partnership, have occasionally experienced friction in their diplomatic engagement.
Political analysts suggest the incident reflects the increasingly polarized global information landscape, where allegations of international interference have become a potent political weapon. The controversy is also seen as the delicate balance between domestic political narratives and international diplomacy going haywire.
