The Congress party, which frequently claims sole credit for India’s independence while questioning the BJP’s role in the freedom struggle, now finds itself under scrutiny for alleged links with foreign entities hostile to India. After allegations against Sonia Gandhi’s ties to billionaire George Soros—who has been accused of destabilizing democracies—the latest name to emerge is Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, who is reportedly linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
George Soros, through his network of NGOs, has long been accused of attempting to undermine democratic governments. His alleged involvement in fuelling anti-government protests in India, including the year-long agitation against farm laws and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests at Shaheen Bagh, has raised serious concerns. The BJP has pointed to Sonia Gandhi’s association with the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, an organization reportedly financed by the George Soros Foundation.
Now, U.S. President Donald Trump’s crackdown on left-liberal networks had also exposed the extent of foreign involvement in India’s political landscape. The revelations named Congress party’s overseas convenor Sam Pitroda, whose three NGOs were linked to USAID funding. Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, allegedly facilitated his controversial international tours, where he often criticized India. His statements were so provocative that even a White House official once questioned whether he was representing India or Pakistan.
Now, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of suspicious dealings with Pakistan’s ISI. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sarma detailed how Gogoi met an ISI official during his first term as an MP in 2015. Soon after, his startup, ‘Policy for Youth,’ published an article in The Hindu criticizing India’s Border Security Force (BSF) for its handling of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Sarma also noted that Gogoi’s parliamentary queries increasingly focused on sensitive defence matters, coinciding with his marriage to a British citizen.
Elizabeth Gogoi (née Colebourn), Gaurav Gogoi’s wife, is also under the spotlight. She holds a master’s degree in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics and has worked with various global institutions, including the European Parliament and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI). One of her previous employers, the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), has drawn criticism from the BJP, which alleges links to foreign intelligence agencies.
Sarma claims that Elizabeth spent time in Pakistan, employed by an organization suspected of being an ISI front. While there is no direct evidence linking her to anti-India activities, her international affiliations have fuelled speculation.
With these revelations, many now question whether today’s Congress can still claim the legacy of India’s independence movement. The party once led by Mahatma Gandhi, known for his non-violent resistance, also had figures like Subhas Chandra Bose, who took a more aggressive approach and died under mysterious circumstances. But the present-day Congress, under Sonia Gandhi—an Italian by birth—seems more entangled in foreign influences than focused on national interests.
Since losing power in 2014, Congress appears to be playing a dangerous game, allegedly aligning with entities like Soros-backed organizations, ISI operatives, and pro-Khalistani elements. As its return to power becomes increasingly uncertain, is Congress resorting to divisive tactics at the cost of national security?
The allegations against Gaurav Gogoi add yet another layer to the growing concerns over foreign interference in Indian politics. Whether these claims hold ground remains to be seen, but they undoubtedly raise pressing questions about the integrity of India’s opposition leadership.
