On Saturday, the US government rejected claims from India’s ruling party, the BJP, which suggested that some US organizations were trying to create chaos in India. The BJP accused foreign groups of targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and businessman Gautam Adani. A spokesperson from the US embassy said these claims were disappointing and emphasized that the US supports media freedom around the world.
The BJP pointed to recent attacks by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who used information from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to criticize the Adani Group, claiming it was too close to the government.
The US embassy official explained that the US works with independent groups to help journalists improve their skills, but this does not affect what those groups write about. OCCRP, which is based in Amsterdam, focuses on stories about crime and corruption.
The BJP also mentioned a French report claiming that OCCRP is funded by the US State Department and influential figures like George Soros. However, the US insists that a free press is vital for democracy, helping people discuss important issues and hold leaders accountable.
Last month, Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar, and others faced charges in the US for allegedly paying over $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials. This money was supposedly for winning solar energy contracts that could earn more than $2 billion in profit. After these accusations, the Congress party called for a serious investigation and accused the government of protecting Adani. In response, the Adani Group labeled the charges as false.
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