The U.S. is reportedly trying to destabilize the PM Narendra Modi-led government in India by using the Andhra Baptist Church and various opposition parties to sever Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu from the ruling alliance. A report by Russian news agency Sputnik raises concerns about a potential “no-confidence motion” against the NDA government. It implies U.S. support for groups trying to stir up unrest in India.
Sputnik India
Sputnik India, a Moscow-based news agency, recently raised concerns about a series of meetings between U.S. diplomats and Indian opposition leaders. These interactions can potentially undermine India’s internal stability and political landscape. It comes when India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP government in its third term, continues to showcase its significant soft power and maintain political and economic stability in Asia.
Indian intelligence sources have raised alarms about recent interactions between U.S. Consul General Jennifer Larson, who leads the American mission in Hyderabad, and key Indian opposition figures. On 12 August 2024, Larson met with Asaduddin Owaisi, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (A.I.M.I.M) leader and a Member of Parliament from Hyderabad.
This meeting, which was the second in recent weeks, has prompted a backlash on Indian social media over the potential motives behind it.
Thank you, Member of Parliament and leader of AlMIM @asadowaisi for your kind hospitality and for sharing your informed and important views on a range of shared issues and concerns. I look forward to continuing our discussions! #USIndiaFWD pic.twitter.com/WsDTVzKI0h
— Consul General Jennifer Larson (@USCGHyderabad) August 12, 2024
Larson has also engaged with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is also the head of the Telugu Desam Party (T.D.P).
It was an honor to meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu today. I very much admire his vision for the state, and fully agree with him that the United States and Andhra Pradesh must continue to work together in such important fields as trade, technology,… pic.twitter.com/lHnF29Fy82
— Consul General Jennifer Larson (@USCGHyderabad) July 31, 2024
I had an excellent meeting today with Telangana Chief Minister @revanth_anumula on the eve of his departure to the United States to mobilize new investments. Hyderabad hosts close to 200 U.S. companies and continues to absorb more and more in several high-end tech sectors such as… pic.twitter.com/GAkPrvMkf7
— Consul General Jennifer Larson (@USCGHyderabad) August 2, 2024
Chandrababu Naidu and the BJP
Naidu’s support was crucial in securing Modi’s third term in office following the recent Lok Sabha elections, as TDP’s 16 M.P.s backed Modi’s coalition government. However, Naidu has opposed the B.J.P-supported “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act,” which seeks to regulate properties managed by Islamic Waqf boards. This opposition, especially since the bill is under scrutiny by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), has caused concern within BJP circles.
Sputnik reported that Intelligence sources had expressed worries about internal political discussions that may have surfaced during conversations with American diplomats, suggesting the possibility of a “no-confidence motion” against the government over disagreements regarding the Waqf law. There are also concerns that American support could potentially influence Andhra Baptist Church as a tool against Naidu.
Sputnik sources revealed that “They (American diplomats) may also use the Andhra Baptist Church, under the patronage and financial support of the American Baptist Church, to apply pressure on the CBN to switch sides. The Andhra Baptist Church is the biggest tool in the CIA’s pocket right now to be used against the CBN.”
While meetings between opposition leaders and foreign diplomats are not unusual, given the strong I.T. ties and people-to-people connections between Andhra-Telangana and the United States, recent developments have raised some serious concerns.
Why are such meetings suspicious?
Dr Abhinav Pandya, Founder and Director of the Usanas Foundation, expressed “genuine apprehensions” about perceived U.S. support for groups seeking to incite unrest in India. He pointed to a strong perception within B.J.P-R.S.S circles that the U.S. may have interfered in the Lok Sabha elections to undermine Modi’s foreign policy stance.
Pandya also suggested that foreign forces might be involved in fueling domestic unrest or political discord in India, drawing parallels with alleged U.S. interventions in other countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.
He highlighted that while there is no concrete evidence, the widespread perception of foreign interference, particularly by U.S. diplomats meeting with opposition figures, remains a cause for concern.
Sputnik’s report states that U.S. diplomats have engaged with political and social media figures who are critical of the Narendra Modi government.
In July 2024, the U.S. Embassy in India announced an “Influence to Impact” programme featuring Congress propagandist and half-truths peddling YouTuber Akash Banerjee.
The U.S. Embassy in India had also nominated divisive figures like RJ Sayema in the past as their “Equality Ambassador”, who ironically indulges heavily in mocking Hindu festivals/rituals and practices and speaking anti-national words.