US ‘Covert Influence Operations’ Target Indian Media, Civil Society: BJP Politician

"It is not a hidden fact that the US has been working with Indian civil society, sections of the media and think tanks among others to propagate the agenda of the American establishment. Many of these activities are coordinated by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED)," Rodrigues said.

"The NED works with civil society, think tanks, media, think tanks and even politicians. In India, we are given to believe that NED’s operations are not much publicised, but they are acting through a network of agents and NGOs. In a way, it is an overt operator, unlike the CIA. But the goal remains to advance the goals of American foreign policy. If you fear the CIA's activities, then you should be equally mindful of NED’s operations as well," Rodrigues explained.

"It is troubling them because it is directly contributing to efforts in putting an end to US hegemony across the world, including in India. So, targeting Russian publications such as RT and Sputnik is an effort of the US to undermine the credibility of these publications as part of its larger geopolitical strategy. That’s the hypocrisy of the US. What’s the credibility of publications such as the New York Times and Washington Post? Don’t they peddle the American agenda and even seek to undermine Indian interests?" Rodrigues concluded.