Newly released documents from the U.S. House Oversight Committee have revealed previously unknown details of Jeffrey Epstein’s efforts to exert influence over Indian geopolitics and forge high-level political connections—including an attempt to arrange a secret meeting between former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in mid-2019.
The communications, which include emails, text messages, and entries from Epstein’s private calendars, shed light on the disgraced financier’s extensive network within India’s political and corporate elite. They also connect Epstein’s activities to his longstanding ties with powerful figures in the Israeli intelligence establishment, at a moment when India–Israel relations were accelerating rapidly.
Epstein pushed for a Modi–Bannon meeting shortly before his arrest
According to the documents, Epstein offered to “set up” a meeting between Modi and Bannon in the weeks following Modi’s sweeping re-election victory in May 2019. The exchanges show Epstein repeatedly urging Bannon—then a leading conservative voice on U.S.-China policy—to meet the Indian prime minister.
“I can set,” Epstein wrote in a text. “You should meet with Modi.”
Bannon replied: “please.”
Epstein pushed further: “When can you do it?”
Hours later, Epstein claimed, “modi on board.”
Although the recipient’s name was redacted, contextual clues—including references to Kazakhstan, and collaborations with Kris Kobach and Brian Kolfage—strongly match Bannon’s known activities at the time.
Modi’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Bannon and Epstein discussed India in the context of U.S.–China tensions
On the day of Modi’s election victory, Bannon texted Epstein from Kazakhstan:
“I’m doing a one hour show for India on Modi while here—bringing American Hindu guys with us.”
Epstein replied:
“his focus wants to be stopping china.”
A week later, Bannon appeared on Indian news channel WION, praising Modi and calling a U.S.–India partnership vital in countering China’s global rise.
Epstein continued pressing Bannon, writing:
“my guy said to tell you that you are missing a great opportunity, look at your underwear. it either says made in china or made in india. how is it possible that you guys don’t understand shared goals.”
Documents reveal Epstein’s links to top BJP leaders and Indian billionaires
The House Oversight disclosures also show Epstein met several times with Hardeep Singh Puri, a senior leader of Modi’s BJP, even after Epstein had already been convicted of sexual offenses. Additional documents indicate Epstein corresponded with a powerful Indian billionaire engaged in a joint defense venture with a state-owned Israeli aerospace firm, discussing India–Israel relations and security ties.
These interactions unfolded as New Delhi and Tel Aviv were deepening military cooperation. Following historic state visits in 2017 and 2018, India signed major deals with Israel in 2019 to acquire advanced anti-tank and surface-to-air missile systems. Today, India is Israel’s largest defense customer.
A larger unanswered question
The revelations raise new questions about Epstein’s ongoing efforts to broker geopolitical influence even as legal scrutiny closed in on him—and about whose interests he was actually serving.
This report is the latest in an ongoing investigative series examining the unresolved question:
What exactly was Jeffrey Epstein doing—and on whose behalf?
