Congress Questions Modi's Israel Visit Over Epstein Files
Congress Questions Modi's Israel Visit Over Epstein Files
Rahul Gandhi challenges Modi on the Israel trip amid a trade-deal clash, as Congress cites Epstein Files asserting Epstein shaped India-Israel ties.
The opposition in India sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Israel, arguing that the trip undermines national interests and comes amid a heated row over the Indo-U.S. trade deal. The exchange highlighted the tense balance between foreign policy moves and domestic political battles.
Rahul Gandhi took to X to question the timing of the visit, asking whose orders led Modi to Israel and whether the trip is advancing India's interests in the Indo-U.S. trade deal. He described the journey as a potential misstep and urged a reconsideration of the alignment with the United States and Israel.
In a separate line of attack, Congress leader Pawan Khera cited purported emails involving Hardeep Puri, Ehud Barak, and Anil Ambani, claiming that the foundation of India-Israel ties was laid by Jeffrey Epstein. Khera referred to a poster playfully reframing the situation as “Jeffrey Ne Bana Di Jodi.” He argued that Epstein’s alleged influence is being used to justify the government’s foreign policy choices.
The government pushed back, describing the emails as sensational and trashy musings by a convicted criminal. The clash underscored how foreign policy decisions can become fodder for domestic political narratives, with both sides leveraging global connections to bolster their positions.
The episode illustrates the undercurrents of diplomacy in a busy moment for India, as the country weighs its strategic partnerships with the United States and Israel while navigating domestic political expectations and public scrutiny.
