News Desk
New Delhi, In an unusual and pointed move, India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised serious concerns about the United States’ involvement in media reports critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leading industrialist Gautam Adani. Accusing the U.S. State Department of funding narratives to tarnish India’s image, the BJP’s remarks signal growing frustration with what it perceives as unwarranted interference in the country’s domestic affairs.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi denied the allegations, calling them “disappointing” and reiterating the U.S. commitment to media freedom. “The U.S. has long been a champion of media freedom around the world. A free and independent press is an essential component of any democracy,” a spokesperson said, sidestepping the BJP’s claims that organizations like OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) receive significant funding from the State Department.
The BJP’s accusations come amid evolving complexities in the India-U.S. relationship, which has recently faced challenges on multiple fronts. Earlier this year, the U.S. commented on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and issued a critical report on India’s religious freedom, prompting strong objections from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA has thus far declined to comment on the latest controversy, reflecting the diplomatic tightrope India must walk.
The BJP’s remarks mark a rare direct confrontation, accusing the U.S. of leveraging media organizations to pursue a “Deep State” agenda aimed at destabilizing India’s leadership. The party cited French media investigations and claimed that nearly half of OCCRP’s funding originates from the U.S. State Department. It also linked the timing of key visits by U.S. officials to perceived attempts to align with opposition narratives in India.
New Delhi’s typically measured responses to Washington’s actions appear to have given way to a more assertive stance. Analysts suggest the BJP’s sharp rhetoric reflects growing disillusionment with the Biden administration’s approach to India, which has often been accompanied by moralistic overtones on issues ranging from human rights to press freedom.
For India, this is more than a war of words. The allegations point to a larger discomfort with what some in New Delhi perceive as America’s reluctance to treat India as an equal partner. Despite India’s increasing strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific and its efforts to align with the U.S. on key global issues, the tone and content of U.S. criticism have been viewed as dismissive of India’s sovereignty and achievements.
By linking U.S.-funded organizations to narratives critical of Prime Minister Modi and the Adani Group, the BJP has turned the focus inward, framing the issue as an attempt to undermine India’s growing influence on the global stage. The party cited reports by OCCRP and others that targeted Mr. Adani’s business dealings and suggested these were part of a coordinated campaign.
Such framing resonates domestically, where the BJP has often portrayed its governance as being under attack by international forces unwilling to accept India’s rise. The references to U.S. development agency USAID’s ties to OCCRP and to figures like USAID Administrator Samantha Power underscore the BJP’s narrative of a Western establishment unwilling to cede control to emerging powers like India.
Critically, this confrontation emerges at a time of political transition in Washington. With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office, some observers believe the BJP’s hardline stance reflects confidence in a more favorable reception from the incoming administration. Trump’s allies, including figures like Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, have echoed similar sentiments about the so-called “Deep State” in U.S. politics, providing a potential avenue for greater alignment with India’s concerns.
As India asserts itself on the world stage, it is increasingly clear that its relationship with the U.S. cannot remain one-sided. The BJP’s sharp critique underscores a broader demand for mutual respect and acknowledgment of India’s sovereign priorities. While Washington champions media freedom and democracy, its selective application of these principles has not gone unnoticed in New Delhi.
This episode serves as a reminder that India is no longer content to play a subordinate role in global narratives. Whether the U.S. will adapt to this new reality remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: India is ready to defend its interests, both at home and abroad, with equal vigor.
