Hardeep Singh Puri Responds to Epstein File Claims
A major political debate has broken out in the capital today as opposition leaders raised questions regarding the “Epstein Files” in Parliament. The controversy centers on Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, whose name appeared in documents recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Congress party has intensified its demands for the Minister’s resignation, alleging that the government’s integrity has been compromised.
In a formal response today, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri dismissed the allegations as a “smear campaign.” He clarified that his interactions with Jeffrey Epstein occurred over a decade ago in a strictly professional capacity. At the time, Mr. Puri was serving as India’s Ambassador to the United Nations and later held a role at the International Peace Institute. He stated that these meetings were part of official delegations and had no connection to any personal or criminal activities.
The opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, continues to press for further investigation. They have cited specific email exchanges from 2014 where the Minister reportedly discussed the “Digital India” initiative with associates of the late financier. Congress spokespersons questioned why such sensitive policy matters were discussed with private individuals before their official launch in India. They claim these files suggest an attempt to influence India’s foreign and economic policies from abroad.
The ruling party has stood firmly behind the Minister, labeling the opposition’s claims as “buffoonery” and a distraction from the ongoing India AI Impact Summit. Government representatives emphasized that the Minister’s name appearing in a document dump does not equate to wrongdoing. They argued that many global diplomats and leaders had incidental professional contact with the financier during that period. As of this evening, the political standoff remains unresolved, with both sides trading sharp accusations over national accountability.
