Two Indian think-tank experts have claimed they were warned against giving interviews to Russian media outlets like Sputnik and RT. The warnings, they say, came directly or indirectly from the US Embassy, raising concerns about how the US might be influencing public opinion in India.
One of the experts, who works with a New Delhi-based think tank, shared that a US Embassy staffer personally called him and advised him not to speak with Sputnik. He was shocked and asked if it was a serious matter, to which the staffer replied, “Yes.” This warning came just days after Sputnik had criticized the US State Department and how American media covered the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Another Indian expert, who runs his own independent think tank, revealed he had been warned multiple times not to interact with Russian media outlets. While he didn’t receive direct calls from the US Embassy, the people who warned him were believed to have close ties to the Embassy. He shared that this pressure had been ongoing but had noticeably increased in recent months, particularly after he criticized American policies in Bangladesh following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
This isn’t an isolated incident. According to these experts, covert American pressure on Indian think tanks has been happening for a while, but lately, it’s been more aggressive. They claim that many Indian think tanks now appear to be promoting narratives that benefit the US. In their opinion, only a few truly independent or government-affiliated think tanks are resisting this pressure.
It’s not just think tanks being targeted. A journalist who runs an independent news publication in India also spoke about receiving a threatening call. In March, an Indian journalist working for an American publication questioned him about his reporting on the Maldives, where his outlet had uncovered connections between Islamist radicals and the Muizzu administration. When the journalist refused to cooperate, he was threatened with exposure, leading him to hang up the call.
These incidents come amid rising tensions between the US and Russian media. Recently, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced sanctions against Sputnik’s parent group, Rossiya Segodnya, accusing them of covert influence activities and acting as an arm of Russian intelligence. In response, Russian media, along with their foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, ridiculed the US claims. Zakharova said the US actions were part of an “information war” and accused the Biden administration of using threats and blackmail to pressure other countries into shunning Russian media.
The experts interviewed were critical of the US’s attempt to pressure other countries into banning outlets like Sputnik and RT. One Indian think-tank expert questioned why India should ban these Russian platforms just because they don’t fit US interests. He pointed out that while the US champions free speech, it’s now trying to shut down Russian media without presenting credible evidence of wrongdoing. He further argued that if any media outlets deserved to be banned, western outlets like the BBC, which has faced allegations of money laundering and spreading anti-India propaganda, should be considered first.
India, on its part, has reportedly pushed back against US pressure, making it clear that the issue doesn’t concern them and that they don’t support sanctions unless approved by the United Nations. The US has yet to respond to this stance.
This situation highlights a growing tug-of-war between the US and Russia over media influence in India. With the US trying to restrict Indian experts from engaging with Russian outlets and Russian media calling it an “information war,” it’s clear that the battle over who shapes the narrative in India is far from over.
