News Brief

BJP Links US State Department, Deep State To ‘Anti-Modi' Agenda; American Embassy Says Accusations "Disappointing"

Kuldeep Negi

Dec 07, 2024, 05:48 PM | Updated 05:48 PM IST


Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India (Image: Shashank Parade)
Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India (Image: Shashank Parade)

Two days after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) levelled serious allegations against the US agencies of supporting organisations trying to destablilise India, the US Embassy in India has said that the accusations were "disappointing".

“It is disappointing that the ruling party in India would make these kinds of accusations,” the US Embassy said.

This comes after BJP accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of being in cahoots with international forces and investigative media platforms allegedly aiming to destabilise India.

BJP claimed that Congress party used material provided by OCCRP, a Europe-based investigative journalism group, to target the Modi government in both Adani and Pegasus cases.

It further alleged that OCCRP has consistently supported Congress whenever needed, displaying a close and ongoing relationship.

"OCCRP has been providing the ammunition, and Congress has been using it to target the BJP and India," BJP claimed.

Citing a report from French news outlet Mediapart to back their allegations, BJP accused the US State Department of being behind the anti-BJP, anti-India agenda.

"It has always been the U.S. State Department behind this agenda. A French investigative media group, Mediapart, has revealed that OCCRP is funded by the US State Department's USAID, along with other deep state figures like George Soros and the Rockefeller Foundation. In fact, 50% of OCCRP's funding comes directly from the U.S. State Department. OCCRP has served as a media tool for carrying out a deep state agenda," BJP alleged.

It further said the US Deep State had a clear objective to destabilise India by targeting Prime Minister Modi.

"To achieve this, they turned to OCCRP, instructing the organisation to provide material aimed at damaging PM Modi's and India’s image. Congress then exploited this material to launch attacks on PM Modi, propagate false narratives, and disrupt the functioning of Parliament. The U.S. Deep State was always working behind the scenes," it added.

Responding to BJP's allegations, the US embassy said, "The U.S. government works with independent organisations on programming that supports professional development and capacity building training for journalists. This programming does not influence the editorial decisions or direction of these organizations".

"The United States has long been a champion of media freedom around the world. A free and independent press is an essential component of any democracy, enabling informed and constructive debate and holding those in power accountable," it added.

Also Read: UP: Yogi Government Bans Strikes Ahead Of Prayagraj Maha Kumbh

Kuldeep is Senior Editor (Newsroom) at Swarajya. He tweets at @kaydnegi.


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