Government to seek U.S. explanation after reports of snooping on BJP

Suhasini Haidar
Published: July 2, 2014

Caught off guard by the latest round of revelations from former U.S. CIA contractor Edward Snowden, sources in the government on Tuesday said they are “mulling immediate action” against the U.S. for reports that India and the BJP in particular were under American surveillance in 2010.

“Whether it is individuals or organisations, we have raised this issue with the authorities concerned in the U.S. as well as through our embassy. If the reports are correct, we will follow the same process,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, calling the invasion of privacy “unacceptable.”

Sources told The Hindu the issue would be taken up with U.S. authorities even before U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns visits India next week and the government intends to seek “a full explanation and assurance” from the U.S. government that it has discontinued such acts of surveillance.

According to documents released by Mr. Snowden through the Washington Post on Monday, the Bharatiya Janata Party was one of six political parties worldwide that the U.S. NSA sought a court order to conduct surveillance on in 2010.

Printable version | Jul 2, 2014 6:25:41 AM | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-to-seek-us-explanation-after-reports-of-snooping-on-bjp/article6167637.ece