M A I N   N E W S

Washington snooping on BJP shadows McCain visit
Modi govt summons American diplomat as Senator meets Sushma
Ashok Tuteja
Tribune News Service

Snowden’s disclosure A US court had allowed security agency NSA to spy on a handful of political organisations, including the BJP, the Pakistan People’s Party and Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood The 2010-classified legal certification approved by US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court was leaked by former security contractor Edward Snowden and published by the ‘Washington Post’ Highly objectionable: MEA We have asked the US if such intrusions had indeed been authorised and taken place. Our view is that, should this have happened, it is highly objectionable — Syed Akbaruddin, mea spokesperson

New Delhi, July 2
India today lodged a strong protest with Washington over reports of the US National Security Agency (NSA) spying on the BJP. This came on a day when visiting Republican Senator John McCain met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to discuss ways to strengthen ties between the two nations.

A top US diplomat was summoned to the Foreign Office this morning and his attention was drawn towards reports in the US media regarding the authorisation given to entities of the US Administration to intrude upon the privacy of communication of the Government of India, citizens and entities.

If such intrusions were authorised and they did take place, it was “highly objectionable”, he was told in unambiguous terms.

The Indian side also pointed out that it had raised the issue with the US administration both in New Delhi and Washington in July and November last year when reports had surfaced that the NSA had spied upon individuals and entities, and said it was still awaiting a response from the US.

India sought an explanation on the information contained in these media reports and an assurance that such authorisation would not be acted upon by the US government entities as far as the Indian government, its citizens and entities were concerned.

Briefing mediapersons, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin refused to identify the diplomat who was called to the Foreign Office. “It is important to convey the message… the messenger is not important.”

The US currently has Interim Ambassador Kathleen Stephens who came in after former US Ambassador Nancy Powell resigned.

On the US response, the spokesperson said the American diplomat acknowledged that Washington was yet to respond to the previous enquiries made by New Delhi. But he promised to revert to New Delhi. “We will await their (US) response.”On whether the snooping incident could affect ties between the two countries, the spokesperson said the relationship between the two sides was multi-faceted and both governments were committed to deepening and strengthening it.

The documents made public by Washington Post on Monday revealed that the BJP was listed along with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood among the political outfits for whom the NSA had sought permission to conduct surveillance.

The documents name 193 foreign governments and other entities that America’s Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court said the NSA could spy on for the purpose of gathering foreign intelligence. The list includes India. Asked if the issue had also figured during talks between Senator McCain and Swaraj, the spokesperson said: “Government talks to government… Senator McCain is a respected leader of the Senate.”