Epstein Files Reference PM Modi in 2017 Email Chain — Sparks Political Storm in India
New Delhi, January 31, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Justice on January 30, 2026 released a massive new tranche of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including millions of pages, thousands of videos, and hundreds of thousands of images. Among the newly public material, a July 2017 email has triggered intense political controversy in India after it referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his historic official visit to Israel.
What the Email Actually Says
According to reports and political statements, in the 2017 email chain Epstein appeared to boast to a contact about PM Modi’s actions during his July 2017 visit to Israel — the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country since full diplomatic relations were established in 1992.
Congress leaders quoted Epstein as claiming that PM Modi had followed his “advice”, performed/danced and sang in Israel “for the benefit of the US president” (a reference to then-President Donald Trump), and added the phrase “IT WORKED!”
Importantly, no evidence has surfaced in the released documents showing any direct contact, communication, meeting, or relationship between Jeffrey Epstein and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Strong Government & MEA Response
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) moved swiftly to dismiss the controversy.
In an official statement, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said:
“We have seen reports of an email message from the so-called Epstein files that has a reference to the Prime Minister and his visit to Israel. Beyond the fact of the Prime Minister’s official visit to Israel in July 2017, the rest of the allusions in the email are little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal, which deserve to be dismissed with the utmost contempt.”
Government supporters and many analysts have pointed out that Epstein was well-known for name-dropping high-profile personalities, boasting about imaginary influence, and attempting to insert himself into geopolitical conversations without any real connection.
Congress Reaction — “National Shame” & Demand for Explanation
Several senior Congress leaders strongly attacked the reference and demanded answers from the Prime Minister.
Pawan Khera described the matter as a “national shame” and a serious issue affecting “national dignity and international reputation”. He raised three pointed questions:
- What “advice” was allegedly sought from Jeffrey Epstein?
- What is meant by acting “for the benefit of the US president” during the Israel visit?
- What did “IT WORKED!” imply?
Jairam Ramesh also highlighted the email and suggested it pointed to a “direct unexplained association” that required full clarification from the government.
Key Background Facts
- PM Modi’s Israel visit (July 2017) was a landmark state visit focused on defense, agriculture, technology, and strategic partnership.
- The visit occurred shortly after PM Modi’s meeting with then-President Trump in June 2017.
- No document released so far shows any actual interaction between Epstein and PM Modi.
- Epstein was notorious for exaggerating his proximity to world leaders and business tycoons — a pattern observed in many of his communications.
Political & Public Divide
While the opposition is using the reference to launch sharp attacks, the government and its supporters have termed the controversy baseless and politically motivated, calling for focus on real issues instead of “trashy ruminations of a convicted criminal.”
The BJP has so far maintained broad silence on detailed rebuttals beyond the official MEA statement.
NRIGlobe.com will continue to track all major developments, reactions, and any further document releases related to this controversy.
Stay updated with NRIGlobe.com for balanced, fact-based coverage of international stories impacting India and the Indian diaspora.
