WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — India has rejected as “baseless” two recent Washington Post reports that accused the country of plotting against Maldives and Pakistan, calling it a biased newspaper that maintains a negative attitude toward India. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, condemned the claims, labeling them as part of a narrative aimed at undermining India’s regional efforts.
The first report, released by The Washington Post, claimed India was involved in a failed plot to impeach Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. It quoted a document, allegedly called the “Democratic Renewal Initiative,” which indicated that opposition leaders were trying to bribe lawmakers to oust Muizzu. The scheme, according to the report, collapsed when the opposition failed to garner enough votes.
In a separate report, the Post alleged that India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been conducting covert operations in Pakistan since 2021. These operations, according to unnamed Pakistani and Western officials cited in the report, targeted terror operatives in an ongoing shadow campaign.
Jaiswal, speaking on behalf of the Indian government, firmly rejected both reports. “The credibility of the newspaper and its reporter is for everyone to judge. For us, it’s nonexistent,” he said during a press briefing in New Delhi. He also highlighted the MEA’s longstanding concern with what it views as selective reporting by the Washington Post, stating that such accusations have often lacked substantiating evidence.
Jaiswal also quoted a renowned statement made by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2011, which warned Pakistan against hosting terrorist groups. Clinton stated, “You cannot keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to bite only your neighbors.” Jaiswal quoted the statement to drive home India’s message to Pakistan that it was an abettor of terror groups.
India’s reaction also highlights the overall regional tensions involving India, Pakistan, and the Maldives. India and Pakistan have been long-standing rivals due to various reasons, including terrorism and Kashmir. The Maldives has also experienced an on-and-off relationship with India over the past few years. India is extremely sensitive about foreign media coverage that it deems as maligning its position in regional geopolitics.
Both reports come against the backdrop when India is proclaiming a greater proactive role within South Asia – particularly in matters of countering terrorism and strong alliances with all neighboring countries. Although India did not present further proof to deny any of the evidence provided by The Washington Post stories, its sharp denial of every claim indicates a strong effort to manage India’s image globally.
