Hardeep Singh Puri Rejects Allegations Linked To Epstein Files, Calls Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks Immature

The shadow of the Jeffrey Epstein files reached the floor of India's Parliament - and ignited a fierce political showdown.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri hit back sharply at Rahul Gandhi after the Congress leader invoked Puri's name while referring to court documents linked to the disgraced American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

What began as a reference to explosive international documents quickly spiralled into a bitter war of words, with Puri accusing Gandhi of relying on insinuation rather than facts.

The Epstein Files Flashpoint

The controversy erupted when Rahul Gandhi cited material from the publicly released Epstein files, suggesting that Puri's name appeared in documents connected to Epstein.

The mere mention of the Epstein files - which contain millions of pages of emails, contacts and records tied to the late financier - instantly raised the political temperature.

But Puri countered that the reference lacked crucial context.

According to the minister, his name appears in just two emails out of nearly three million documents that surfaced in the Epstein disclosures. He said the emails were linked to official engagements during his tenure as India's Ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2017.

"This Is Not About Epstein"

In a strongly worded response, Puri argued that Gandhi had been briefed in advance about the background of the references in the Epstein files but chose to raise the issue in Parliament anyway.

"So this is not about Epstein. This story is about lack of maturity," Puri said, accusing the Leader of the Opposition of practising "politics by innuendo."

He maintained that his interactions with Epstein - four meetings over eight years - were official and connected to his role as Secretary General of the Independent Commission for Multilateralism under the International Peace Institute.

"I met hundreds of people every year in my official capacity," Puri said, insisting there was nothing improper about the engagements.

Emails, Investments And Context

Puri said one of the cited emails discussed possible investment flows into India. He added that the same exchange included advice to LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman about expanding into India's multilingual digital market - an example, he argued, of routine diplomatic and policy discussions.

He also described one of the interactions as feeling "ambushed," suggesting it occurred as part of a broader delegation rather than a private meeting.

The minister firmly rejected any insinuation of wrongdoing.

Political Counterattack

Rather than letting the focus remain on the Epstein files, Puri turned the spotlight on Rahul Gandhi's style of politics.

He accused Gandhi of making allegations and then avoiding sustained debate, calling it a "spit and fly" approach.

"If you want to raise an issue, do your research and allow the other side to respond," Puri said, stressing that Parliament is meant for serious, fact-based discussion.

Escalating his rhetoric, Puri said Gandhi's conduct displayed "elements of buffoonery," drawing a sharp contrast between leaders who "dedicate their lives to the nation" and those who, in his words, provide "entertainment value."

A Global Scandal, A Domestic Battle

The Epstein files have triggered political ripples across countries, given the financier's extensive global network. In India, their mention in Parliament has now opened a fresh political front.

For Hardeep Singh Puri, the issue is clear: his name appears in limited, official correspondence within millions of documents. For Rahul Gandhi, the reference formed part of a broader critique of transparency and accountability.