Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri NEW DELHI: Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri lashed out at Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi over Congress’s repeated attacks over the infamous Epstein files, saying he met Jeffrey Epstein only “three or four times” in a professional capacity as part of the Independent Commission on Multilateralism.Puri said the meetings took place before he joined the Union Cabinet in 2017 and are already in the public domain.”I want to remind you that today, during the Parliament session, my name was mentioned in the context of some developments elsewhere—the Epstein files. I just want to share some information… I want to clarify that these facts are all public,” Puri said at a press conference. He futher added: “Three million emails have been released, covering the period from May 2009, when I joined as India’s Ambassador to the UN in New York, until I became a minister in 2017. During this period, there are references to only three or four meetings, and my interactions were entirely professional, related to the Independent Commission on Multilateralism and other international work.”Taking a vile dig at “yuva neta” (young leader) Rahul Gandhi, Puri said: “Epstein Files, the Yuva Neta should know, are about wrongdoing, criminal offences. The Epstein Files are about charges that he had an island where he used to take people to indulge their sexual fantasies, charges of paedophilia, and there are victims of this. Those victims have brought cases against people in authority. My interaction had nothing to do with that.”Amid the criticism from the opposition over the India-US trade deal, Hardeep Puri said the pact was the best given the tumultuous global situation and that it was just a trailer. Further defending India’s economic growth and slamming Rahul Gandhi for echoing Trump’s “dead economy” claim, Puri said: “On the one hand, you have leaders who dedicate their lives to transforming the country and work around the clock, and then you have elements of buffoonery. I am choosing my words carefully, elements of buffoonery. I did not call him (Rahul Gandhi) a buffoon; I said elements of buffoonery.” About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Will Move Privilege Notice Against Rahul Gandhi”: BJP Slams Rahul Over ‘Baseless Allegations’BJP MP Counters Rahul Gandhi’s Trade Deal Attack, Anurag Thakur Says Grip Talk Exposed WeaknessLok Sabha Sees Massive Ruckus As Rahul Gandhi Mentions Epstein Files, Adani Case; Slams PM ModiIndia’s New Rule Mandates Full ‘Vande Mataram’ National Song Before ‘Jana Gana Mana’ National AnthemUS Deletes India Map Showing PoK, Aksai Chin As Part Of Country After Trade Deal Post Sparks Debate’You Sold Bharat Mata’: Rahul Gandhi’s Sharp Attack At PM Modi, ‘Not Your Servant’ Message To TrumpRafale Expansion Plan Gains Momentum Ahead Of French President Macron’s High Stakes India Visit’Soggy Poppadums’ Vs ‘Fine Tandoori’: UK Parliament Spars Over India Trade Deal As MPs Trade Charges’Entered Speaker’s Chamber And Abused Him’: Rijiju Hits Out At Congress, Slams Rahul GandhiIndia Pushback Forces White House To Rewrite Trade Deal Factsheet Claims On Tariffs, Tax, Purchases123PhotostoriesArchana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi open up about their parenthood journey; son Aaryamann says, “I have had the worst depression, won’t wish it on anyone”Ahead of ‘O’Romeo’ release, take a look at Shahid Kapoor’s 7 highest-grossing films; ‘Padmaavat’ to ‘Kabir Singh’7 biggest movie references in the 2026 Olympics figure skating competition: ‘Dune’, ‘Interstellar’ and more‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Dhol’, ‘Chup Chup Ke’: Rajpal Yadav’s films that cemented his status as Bollywood’s comedy powerhouse5 luxury interior ideas to borrow from Shah Rukh Khan’s MannatExplained! 5 most expensive places to live in 20268 ways to enjoy sweet potato for evening snacks with chai’Jai Ho’ on the move: India’s first musical road hits Mumbai’s Coastal driveIs your illness karmic? what your birth date saysNancy Guthrie case update: What we know about the person detained for questioning123Hot PicksMumbai Mayor SelectionGold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionBharat BandhIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingAndre Grey and Leigh Anne Net WorthScott NiedermayerBengaluru Techie MurderMM NaravaneKhwaja AsifBengaluru Businessman Bank Account HackedKiren RijijuHind Al OwaisBOB Assistant Admit CardWhen JEE Main Result Out
NEW DELHI: Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri lashed out at Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi over Congress’s repeated attacks over the infamous Epstein files, saying he met Jeffrey Epstein only “three or four times” in a professional capacity as part of the Independent Commission on Multilateralism.Puri said the meetings took place before he joined the Union Cabinet in 2017 and are already in the public domain.“I want to remind you that today, during the Parliament session, my name was mentioned in the context of some developments elsewhere—the Epstein files. I just want to share some information… I want to clarify that these facts are all public,” Puri said at a press conference. He futher added: “Three million emails have been released, covering the period from May 2009, when I joined as India’s Ambassador to the UN in New York, until I became a minister in 2017. During this period, there are references to only three or four meetings, and my interactions were entirely professional, related to the Independent Commission on Multilateralism and other international work.”Taking a vile dig at “yuva neta” (young leader) Rahul Gandhi, Puri said: “Epstein Files, the Yuva Neta should know, are about wrongdoing, criminal offences. The Epstein Files are about charges that he had an island where he used to take people to indulge their sexual fantasies, charges of paedophilia, and there are victims of this. Those victims have brought cases against people in authority. My interaction had nothing to do with that.“Amid the criticism from the opposition over the India-US trade deal, Hardeep Puri said the pact was the best given the tumultuous global situation and that it was just a trailer. Further defending India’s economic growth and slamming Rahul Gandhi for echoing Trump’s “dead economy” claim, Puri said: “On the one hand, you have leaders who dedicate their lives to transforming the country and work around the clock, and then you have elements of buffoonery. I am choosing my words carefully, elements of buffoonery. I did not call him (Rahul Gandhi) a buffoon; I said elements of buffoonery.”
