The Indian Minister of Petroleum, Hardeep Singh Puri, acknowledged today that he had interacted with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, during his time living in the United States. Puri clarified that his meetings were limited to three or four occasions and emphasized that he has no links to any criminal activities. His admissions came in response to a question in Parliament from opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who pointed out that Puri's name had surfaced in emails associated with Epstein.

During his explanation, Puri mentioned that he was part of the International Institute for Peace, a think tank in New York, headed by Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen until 2020. Notably, Rød-Larsen has since apologized for his connections to Epstein, leading to significant fallout, including the resignation of his wife, Mona Yul, who serves as the Norwegian ambassador. This context adds a layer of complication to Puri's situation, highlighting the ongoing repercussions of relationships tied to Epstein's notorious legacy.

The revelations about Puri's interactions with Epstein have sparked a wider discussion in India regarding political accountability and the ethical implications of such connections. As the story unfolds, there may be further scrutiny of not only Puri's actions but also of the systems in place that allow such relationships to flourish, raising important questions about transparency and integrity within public office.