Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein presented himself as someone with access to the Trump White House while communicating with Indian businessman Anil Ambani in 2017, foreign media reports have revealed.

 

According to reports, based on messages released by the United States (US) Justice Department, Ambani approached Epstein for guidance on navigating India-US defence ties and dealing with officials in Washington DC. 

 

In one exchange from March 2017, Ambani asked whether David Petraeus was being considered for the role of US ambassador to India. Epstein replied that he would check and later told him Petraeus was not on the “front burner”.

 

The position was later filled by Kenneth I Juster in November that year.

 

In July 2017, Epstein told Ambani that John Bolton would replace Lt Gen HR McMaster as national security adviser, saying McMaster “was not long for the position” and that Bolton was “next”. Bolton went on to take the role months later.

 

The messages also show Epstein offering to introduce Ambani to figures close to President Trump, including Stephen K Bannon and Thomas J Barrack Jr, who headed Trump’s inaugural committee.

 

Ambani, in his responses, indicated links with Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s government and said at one point that “leadership” had asked for Epstein’s help in arranging meetings with Jared Kushner and Bannon.

 

Epstein also advised Ambani on using India’s relationship with Israel to strengthen engagement with the Trump administration, noting that discussions related to Israel were central to Modi’s schedule at the time.

 

This period coincided with Modi’s visit to Israel and defence agreements between the two countries valued at around $2 billion.

 

 

Ambani remained in contact with Epstein in 2019 as his business faced financial difficulties. Epstein, in the messages, expressed support and referred to himself as a “friend”.

 

The two met in New York on May 23, 2019, the day India’s general election results were announced. Some of the exchanges also included references to “dessert” and “fun”, without further details.