India has dismissed references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2017 visit to Israel in the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files, denouncing them as "trashy ruminations". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on January 31, 2026, addressing reports of an email message within the files that alludes to Modi's trip.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that Modi's visit to Israel in July 2017 was an official state visit. He firmly rejected any other insinuations contained within the Epstein files, dismissing them with "utmost contempt". The MEA emphasized that beyond the factual record of the Prime Minister's official visit, any other allusions should be disregarded entirely.
The U.S. Justice Department recently released a large batch of investigative materials related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, including over 3 million pages of documents, 2,000 videos, and 180,000 images. Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by suicide in a New York jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
The release of these files has triggered widespread media coverage and public discussion, with some focusing on the connections between Epstein and various prominent figures. The mention of Modi's Israel visit in this context has drawn particular attention in India.
The 2017 visit marked the first time an Indian Prime Minister had visited Israel. The visit was seen as a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, elevating the relationship to a strategic partnership. During the visit, Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed various areas of cooperation, including defense, agriculture, water technology, and innovation. A joint statement released during the visit outlined agreements and initiatives to promote collaboration in areas such as space, water management, science, and technology.
The Indian National Congress has raised concerns about the reference to PM Modi in the Epstein files. Congress leader Pawan Khera described the matter as a "matter of national shame" and called for clarification from the Prime Minister regarding the remarks attributed to Epstein. Khera referred to a document that said Modi had taken Epstein's advice and "danced and sang in Israel for the benefit of the US president," also adding "IT WORKED!". He questioned what advice was allegedly sought from Epstein and what was meant by acting "for the benefit of the US president" during the Israel visit.
The MEA's strong rebuttal reflects the Indian government's intention to distance itself from the controversy surrounding Epstein and his associations. The government appears firm in its stance that the Prime Minister's visit to Israel was a legitimate diplomatic engagement and that any other interpretations or insinuations are baseless and should be dismissed.
