US Denies BJP’s ‘Deep State’ Accusation Of Creating Narratives To Destabilise India

<p>The United States on Saturday dismissed allegations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suggesting that organisations funded by the US State Department and elements of the American deep state were involved in destabilising India through targeted attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business tycoon Gautam Adani. &nbsp;</p>
<p>According to news agency PTI, a spokesperson from the US embassy in India described the accusations as "disappointing" and emphasised that the US government has been a global champion of media freedom. "It&rsquo;s disappointing that the ruling party in India would make these kinds of accusations," the spokesperson said. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The <a href="https://x.com/BJP4India/status/1864598872582173050">BJP</a>, on Thursday, accused the US ‘deep state’ of colluding with the media portal OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to harm India’s image. The party cited Gandhi’s references to OCCRP reports to attack the Adani Group and allege its close ties with the government. &nbsp;</p>
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<h3><strong>’Programming Doesn&rsquo;t Influence Editorial Decisions’: US Embassy Spox On BJP’s Allegation</strong></h3>
<p>Addressing the allegations, the US embassy spokesperson clarified that the government collaborates with independent organisations to support professional development and capacity-building programmes for journalists. "This programming does not influence the editorial decisions or direction of these organisations," the official asserted, as quoted by PTI. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The BJP had also referred to a French media report claiming that the OCCRP, headquartered in Amsterdam and known for its focus on crime and corruption stories, is funded by the US State Department’s USAID, alongside figures like George Soros and the Rockefeller Foundation. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Reiterating its commitment to media freedom, the US official stated, "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." &nbsp;</p>
<p>The controversy follows allegations last month by US prosecutors charging Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and others for allegedly paying over USD 250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to secure solar energy contracts in India, which could yield profits exceeding USD 2 billion. &nbsp;</p>
<p>In response, the Congress demanded a comprehensive investigation and accused the government of shielding Adani. The Adani Group has denied the charges, calling them "baseless." &nbsp;</p>