Do Epstein Files Name PM Modi, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Anil Ambani And Rafael Deal?
Newly released documents from the US House Oversight Committee, combined with an exclusive tranche of some 18,000 emails obtained by Drop Site News, uncover a complex web of Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to key Indian political and business figures, notably Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and industrialist Anil Ambani, reports Drop Site and The Wire. These revelations also touch upon India’s growing defence ties with Israel, linked to the Rafael missile deal, all coming just before Epstein’s arrest in mid-2019.
Epstein’s contacts, according Drop Site, reveal attempts to arrange a meeting between Modi and former Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon in mid-2019, only two months prior to Epstein’s arrest on charges related to child sex trafficking. The House Oversight release redacts the exact recipient of Epstein’s communications promoting the Modi meeting, but timing, details, and geographical clues strongly suggest it was Bannon, who was then attending a conference in Kazakhstan alongside associates Kris Kobach and Brian Kolfage .
On the day PM Modi secured a decisive re-election victory in May 2019 after defeating Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, Bannon messaged Epstein, indicating he was producing an India-focused show featuring Modi and American Hindu allies. Epstein responded that Modi’s primary focus was countering China. Epstein’s persistent offers to facilitate a Modi-Bannon meeting emphasised the strategic importance of strengthening US-India relations against the backdrop of economic rivalry with China, even using a metaphor involving “underwear made in China or India” to underline shared goals .
Beyond Bannon, Epstein’s documents show significant interactions with prominent Indian figures, including Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s current Oil Minister. Once a senior United Nations diplomat and now a key leader in Modi’s government, Puri featured at least five times in Epstein’s calendars from 2014 to 2017, reports Drop Site News. These scheduled meetings coincided with Epstein’s global dealmaking efforts related to Israeli intelligence and private firms. Puri’s meetings often included Norwegian diplomat Terje Rod-Larsen, a close Epstein associate known for his role in Middle East peace efforts and security negotiations involving Israel .
Further intrigue arises from Epstein’s correspondence with Anil Ambani, a major Indian industrialist whose company Reliance Defence Ltd has a joint venture with Israeli state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. This venture, valued at around $10 billion, produces air-to-air missiles and air defence systems, tying into India’s deepening military cooperation with Israel under Modi’s tenure. Epstein’s emails from March 2017 show Ambani directly exchanging information with him, shortly before Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel and formalise expanded defence ties with Tel Aviv .
These developments form part of a broader strategic backdrop where India, historically non-aligned and maintaining a pro-Palestinian stance, has become Israel’s largest arms importer since formal diplomatic ties were established in 1992. The Modi government notably embraced Israel more visibly from 2014 onwards, marked by many firsts in diplomatic affairs and regular ministerial visits, and significant defence contracts. Ambani’s business interests, particularly the Rafael deal, exemplify the lucrative intersection of politics, defence, and international relations during this period. Rafael deal was a major talking point in India with the Opposition making it a major issue to counter PM Modi’s ‘no-corruption’ claims. The entire Rafael episode kicked off the still-ongoing allegations of PM Modi helping and prioritising his Gujarat ‘crony’ capitalists.
Epstein’s connection with India appears to date back to the 2000s, with attempts documented to arrange business deals involving prominent Indian entrepreneurs overseas. His influence reached into New Delhi’s corridors of power even as he faced global scrutiny for sexual offences, reflected starkly in his persistent meetings with BJP leader Puri after Epstein’s 2008 conviction .
Controversy deepened after a leaked 2014 email between Epstein and former White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler mentioned Puri among others, alongside the term “girls.” The BJP strongly denied any implication of wrongdoing, clarifying that the email referred to public figures Epstein was to meet at the UN General Assembly without any suggestion of trafficking. Nonetheless, the email sparked a social media storm, reflecting continued public sensitivity around Epstein’s global network .
The Epstein files raise urgent questions about the intersections of global finance, politics, and defence, implicating some of India’s most powerful figures in activities shadowed by Epstein’s controversial legacy. Neither PM Modi’s office, Hardeep Singh Puri, nor Anil Ambani have responded to requests for comment various media houses including The Wire, while Steve Bannon remains silent on these revelations.
