Rahul targets Modi over trip to Israel and trade deal with U.S., brings up ‘Epstein Files’

The Congress on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Israel, with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asking: “On whose orders the Prime Minister went to sign an agreement against the interests of the country”.

In a post on X, Mr Gandhi said he had challenged the Prime Minister to cancel the Indo-US trade deal but Mr Modi had quietly left for Israel.

“Narendra “Surrender” Modi, it’s been more than 24 hours since I challenged you to cancel the US trade deal – and once again you quietly fled to Israel. At least once you ‘danced and sang’ in Israel at the behest of Epstein – so this time, on whose orders will you return after making a deal against the country’s interests?” Mr. Gandhi asked. He was referring to emails released as part of the so-called “Epstein Files” in which the late convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein alleged that then US President Donald Trump played a role in the Prime Minister’s visit to Israel in July 2017.

However, on January 31, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the contents of the emails as “the rambling musings of a convicted criminal”.

Despite such denials, Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday referred to alleged email exchanges between Union Minister Hardeep Puri, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and industrialist Anil Ambani and claimed that the foundations of the India-Israel relationship were laid by Epstein.

“Jeffrey Epstein is a notorious sex offender to the common man, but he is a hero for the foreign policy of the Modi government. Even after death, Jeffrey Epstein continues to live on through the decisions and policies of the Modi government,” Mr. Khera said at a press conference.Jeffrey Ne Bana Di Jodi‘ (Jeffrey created the relationship).

On January 4, 2017, Mr Khera alleged that Mr Puri emailed Epstein about a meeting scheduled for January 6. “Immediately after this, Epstein emails another person, Deepak Chopra, and asks questions about Anil Ambani. Finally, Epstein and Anil Ambani met on February 21, 2017. The question is on whose signal did Epstein set out to find Anil Ambani with the help of someone else,” he asked.

Mr. Khera alleged that there were numerous email exchanges between Epstein and Mr. Ambani, and claimed that Epstein introduced Mr. Ambani to the former Israeli Prime Minister via an email on February 23, 2017. The industrialist and Mr Barak exchanged emails regarding India. “India’s Israel strategy was framed by… Ehud Barak, Jeffery Epstein, Hardeep Puri… this is how our foreign policy was shaped,” he claimed.

Neither the government nor the BJP responded to Mr Khera’s allegations.

Earlier, Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said India has taken a moral position on Palestine and claimed that this is a different era. “Now the Indian Prime Minister arrogantly embraces the Israeli Prime Minister, who reduced Gaza to rubble and dust and oversaw the expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. While the whole world criticizes his ‘dear friend’ Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Modi will display moral cowardice.” Ramesh claimed.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her post on channel