Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has alleged that certain individuals have offered a contract to defame him with the backing of some individuals within and outside India. This implies that foreign organizations are meddling in India's domestic affairs and elections. He stressed that opposition parties are teaming up with these foreign entities to damage his reputation. It is worth noting that during the 2019 national elections, the Indian government accused Facebook of aiding the dissemination of false information and propaganda. Furthermore, China has been accused of trying to manipulate Indian politics through its state-controlled media

PM Modi was indirectly referring to recent incidents involving Rahul Gandhi, who has been convicted in a defamation case. Surprsingly, Germany has expressed concern and expects standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles to apply equally to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi.

According to veteran journalist Sukirti, foreign intervention in India is not a recent phenomenon. Such incidents have occurred in the past, including during the Cold War. Sukirti mentions conspiracy theories that suggest the CIA and KGB may have been involved in the mysterious death of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966.


Sukirti also refers to former KGB officials' claims that the Soviet Union provided financial assistance to a leading Indian Political Party and Its leader during the 1970s and 1980s. According to these officials, KGB agents had a significant influence on Indian policy decisions during that period. Oleg Kalugin, a former KGB Major General who defected to the United States in 1990, has alleged that the KGB provided financial aid. Vasili Mitrokhin, who defected to the United Kingdom in 1992 and shared extensive information about KGB operations, has also made similar claims. The book 'The Mitrokhin Archive,' which includes notes from Vasili Mitrokhin detailing supposed KGB activities in India and their efforts to influence Indian policymakers, also supports these claims.

In 1984, former KGB informant Yuri Bezmenov revealed the operations of the Soviet Union in India in an interview with G. Edward Griffin. According to Bezmenov, the Soviet Union played a role in arming the Mukti Bahini during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. He also claimed that the KGB preferred to recruit Indian individuals who lacked moral values, were narcissistic and greedy, as they could help destabilize their country.

Sukirti believes that the Indian government and agencies should be more vigilant. Although the Indian government has taken some steps to prevent foreign interference, such as banning Chinese media outlets and urging social media platforms like Facebook to prevent the spread of fake news and propaganda, more needs to be done. It is essential to ensure that India's elections are free and fair and that its democracy remains robust.

The issue of international agencies interfering in India's internal affairs and elections is a severe one, with significant implications for the country's sovereignty and security. The Indian government must take strong action to prevent such interference, and foreign entities should respect India's sovereignty and refrain from meddling in its politics.

Updated On 6 April 2023 7:46 AM GMT
Anurag Tiwari

Anurag Tiwari

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