Newly released files from the U.S. Department of Justice have cast the spotlight on Indian businessman Anil Ambani, revealing his communications with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein between 2017 and 2019. The documents, part of more than three million pages of heavily redacted material, show exchanges that mixed business discussions with disturbing references to women, raising fresh questions about Ambani’s associations during that period.
According to Bloomberg, a March 2017 text from Ambani to Epstein asked, “K. Who do u suggest?” Epstein’s reply was immediate: “A tall Swedish blonde woman, to make it fun to visit.” Ambani allegedly responded, “Arrange that.” Further messages included discussions about actresses, including Scarlett Johansson, connected to Reliance Entertainment’s 2017 film production. These conversations took place years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, highlighting the controversial nature of their interactions.
The files also show that Epstein invited Ambani to his Manhattan home in May 2019, suggesting he could arrange private meetings with women during Ambani’s visit. Beyond these exchanges, the documents indicate Epstein’s deep interest in Ambani’s family and business, including ordering books about the Ambani brothers to better understand the family dynamics after the split of Reliance Group assets.
Ambani’s connections were not limited to women and business. Some messages discussed U.S. political figures and international visits. In March 2017, Ambani asked Epstein to help arrange meetings with Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned U.S. visit, though the Ministry of External Affairs dismissed such claims as “trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal.” The messages also referenced potential dinners with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in Paris and other high-level contacts.
Epstein reportedly consulted Deepak Chopra for his opinion on Ambani, who described him as “very rich, very much wanting to be noticed, very celebrity conscious” and noted the tensions between the Ambani brothers. Epstein also reached out to American businessman Thomas Pritzker, who suggested that Peter Thiel might be a better contact for Ambani.
Ambani’s office did not respond to queries regarding the authenticity of the messages, and media reports note that the exchanges cannot be independently verified. Critics argue that the files underline the risks of elite networks blending business with ethically questionable associations. Congress leaders have seized on the revelations to call for greater accountability, with general secretary K.C. Venugopal stating the disclosures are “a huge wake-up call about the kind of people who have access to Prime Minister Modi.”
