Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has confirmed that he met convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on a limited basis during his eight-year tenure in the United States. Puri clarified that these meetings occurred as part of his role with the Independent Commission on Multilateralism, where he served after retiring from the Indian Foreign Service.

Encounters Were Professional, Not Personal

Puri stated that he met Epstein only three to four times and exchanged a single email. He emphasized that the meetings took place before his Union Cabinet appointment in 2017 and were strictly professional, unrelated to Epstein’s criminal activities. The Minister noted that his interactions were publicly documented as part of his work in multilateral delegations.

Response to Political Allegations

Puri’s remarks follow allegations from Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who cited purported links between Puri and Epstein, referencing U.S. Department of Justice files. Puri rejected any wrongdoing, asserting that his engagements were in his capacity as a private citizen and Secretary-General of the multilateral commission, not as a government official.

Email Exchange Context

At a press briefing, Puri described an email sent to LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman in November 2014, which included Epstein, discussing potential internet-based economic initiatives in India. He stressed that the email was strictly professional and unrelated to any criminal matter. Puri also noted a separate email sent to Rahul Gandhi in 2025, which remained unanswered.

Allegations of Duality

Rahul Gandhi referenced U.S. documents that allegedly mentioned Puri, suggesting possible pressure on the Prime Minister. Puri countered, highlighting that Epstein himself labeled him “two-faced” due to his lack of interest in Epstein’s personal affairs. The minister reiterated that he had no involvement with Epstein’s criminal activities and that political narratives had distorted the professional context of his interactions.

Maintaining Transparency Amid Scrutiny

Hardeep Singh Puri has maintained that all his past professional engagements have been transparent and documented. He emphasized that his current focus remains on ministerial duties while clarifying his role in interactions with Epstein. Puri’s statements aim to address political scrutiny and reinforce that his meetings were official and unrelated to illegal conduct.

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