Anil Ambani Sought Political Access For Modi In Epstein Messages; Mira Nair Appears In Files

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – As newly released US Justice Department records renew scrutiny of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, industrialist Anil Ambani, and acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair have surfaced in separate parts of the disclosure, drawing official reaction from India and raising questions about past political and social interactions documented in Epstein’s seized communications.

The Indian government, on January 30 dismissed any reference to Prime Minister Modi appearing in the “so called” Epstein files, calling them “trashy ruminations” of a convicted criminal and unworthy of serious consideration. The response followed reports of an email that mentioned Modi in the context of a foreign visit. In a formal statement, India said such references should be rejected with the “utmost contempt.”

The documents have unsealed millions of pages of records, videos, and images connected to Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors.

Among the records are communications recovered from Epstein’s iPhone that show exchanges with Indian businessman Anil Ambani between 2017 and 2019. The messages and emails reveal Ambani seeking information from Epstein about Modi’s diplomatic engagements and Epstein presenting himself as a conduit to influential figures in US political circles.

One message sent by Ambani on March 16 from Delhi outlined the scope of what he was seeking. He wrote that leadership would like help arranging meetings with Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon as soon as possible. The message also referred to a likely visit to Washington by the Prime Minister in May to meet Donald Trump and asked for assistance on that front. At the time, Kushner was serving as Senior Advisor to President Trump, The Wire reported with the images of the texts.

The most concentrated set of communications occurred in May 2019, as India’s general election results were being counted. Between May 14 and May 20, Epstein and Ambani discussed arranging a meeting on May 23, the day results confirmed Modi’s decisive re election. Epstein later described the meeting as involving someone he said had been “sent by Modi” during the election period.

In the early hours of May 24, Bannon replied that he was doing a one hour show for India on Modi and would be bringing American Hindu participants with him.

Separately, the newly released files also include a reference to filmmaker Mira Nair in a 2009 email sent to Epstein by publicist Peggy Siegal. The email, dated October 21, describes Siegal leaving an afterparty at the Manhattan townhouse of Ghislaine Maxwell following an event connected to Nair’s film ‘Amelia.’

In the message, Siegal wrote that the gathering was attended by former US President Bill Clinton, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Mira Nair. The email also commented on the lukewarm reception of the film and outlined Siegal’s plans to attend other industry events. Nair directed ‘Amelia,’ a biographical drama starring Hilary Swank as aviator Amelia Earhart and Richard Gere as publisher George Putnam. (with IANS inputs)