Democracy is praised when my trusted soldier is elected as a leader, but when they’re not, the blame is placed on the electoral system and the people, not on democracy itself. The proposed solution then becomes a call to “reset, rebuild, and strengthen” democracy—until the trusted ally is once again dressed in the “Yes Boss” uniform, a widely accepted strategy of US driven ‘Deep State’ politics.
In the recent developments, Former Bangladesh PM Sheik Hasina, who became refugee in India, on August 5, said to have accused the US of being instrumental in the political crisis currently unfolding in her country and paying the price for not following their line. As expected, the trusted ally of US, the Nobel laureate micro financial expert Mohammad Younis donned the highest political office of the country as a trusted ally without contesting elections under any political party.
In the last 5 years, the neighbouring countries of Bharat claimed to be victims of regime change operations led by US diplomats.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka fall under the region of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Since September 15, 2021, this bureau has been led by Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State, who has over 30 years of experience in U.S. government service.
Donald Lu has been accused of not just overseeing diplomatic relations, but also of interfering in the domestic politics of countries, including allegedly influencing elections and facilitating regime change operations.
In Bangladesh:
It was speculated that the U.S. was opposed to Sheikh Hasina’s re-election for a fourth term, anticipating a change in leadership during the January 2024 elections. However, when the results did not align with their expectations, it appeared they were trying to adjust their approach, as indicated by Donald Lu’s visit in May 2024. This visit marked his third trip to Bangladesh in the last two years.
https://twitter.com/usembassydhaka/status/1790259182785974564
During his visit to Dhaka, Donald Lu met government officials, civil society leaders, and other Bangladeshis to discuss U.S.-Bangladesh cooperation. He also met Social media Influencers of the country.
https://twitter.com/usembassydhaka/status/1790600795085242431
According to media reports, Shaik Hasina accused US of interfering in the internal politics of the country, which resulted in a chain of events that forced her to flee the country.
In Pakistan:
Former PM of Pakistan, Imran Khan accused Donald Lu of interfering in Pakistan political affairs and played a key role in passing no-confidence motion against him. He also appeared before US House Foreign Affairs Committee to clarify his stand.
According to ‘The Intercept’ on Pakistani affairs, “As quoted in the cypher, Khan was being personally blamed by the U.S., according to Lu, for Pakistan’s policy of nonalignment during the Ukraine conflict. The vote of no confidence and its implications for the future of U.S.-Pakistan ties loomed large throughout the conversation.”
Pak PM #ImranKhan names Donald Lu as the US official who sought to destabilise Imran Khan’s govt.
Donald Lu is assistant secretary of the state for South and Central Asian affairs, USA.
pic.twitter.com/VY3xHKa8j5— Resonant News🌍 (@Resonant_News) April 4, 2022
The subsequent events were known to the world, Imran Khan was forced to resign and is now in jail.
The Taliban seized control over Afghanistan in August 2021 after removing the democratically elected government. It ended the 20-year US-led occupation and its support to the Afghan government. Though, it happened before a month Donald Lu become the Assistant Secretary of State.
According to the Judicial Watch Report in 2018, “Donalu Lu helped undermine Albanian opposition party plans to protest the upcoming parliamentary election by declaring that the U.S. would recognize the election results even if opposition parties refused to participate. Ambassador Lu has been described in the U.S. press as “a driving force behind Albania’s judicial reforms.”
“The Obama administration quietly spent at least $9 million in U.S. taxpayers’ dollars in direct collusion with left-wing billionaire George Soros’ backing of a socialist government in Albania, the reported added.
This reveals his close association with well-known, rich opinionated anti-Indian George Soros and his network.
In India:
Donald Lu held several key positions in India, starting as Special Assistant to the Ambassador from 1996 to 1997. He then served as Political Officer from 1997 to 2000. His final role in India was Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) from 2010 to 2013, all based in New Delhi. He also served as a political officer in Peshawar, Pakistan from 1992 to 1994. He is multi-lingual, he speaks Albanian, Russian, Georgian, Azerbaijani, Urdu, Hindi, and West African Krio.
During the general elections 2024, he visited India as part of his official tour that included Sri Lanka and Bangladesh between May 10-15.
As per the US State Department Press Release in May 2024, “In Chennai, Assistant Secretary Lu will meet with Consulate personnel to bolster bilateral engagement in southern India.” The phrasing such as “engagement in southern India” and the choice to land in Chennai rather than the more common Delhi warrants closer scrutiny.
Regarding Donald Lu, the founder of Pune-based ‘Global Strategy Foundation’, Bhagwat said, “Donald Lu is a hated figure in India due to his interference attempts in Indian democracy. Last year, he entertained Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi at the White House.” However, the Ministry of External Affairs of India did not have any information related to this.
Regarding Jammu and Kashmir, Donald Lu told the US Senate, “We are closely monitoring reports of discrimination against Muslim communities and other religious minority groups as well as limits on free speech and NGOs.”
He also said, “I spent my wasted youth as a reporting officer in New Delhi covering Kashmir in the late nineties and had the opportunity to travel there eight times, including during the Kargil War when the Indians and Pakistanis were facing off on a glacier at 15,000 feet.”
A diplomat with such a controversial background and activities of US Embassy diplomats in India are quite suspicious.
There are numerous incidents of US agencies exploiting fault lines, identifying and supporting the divisive leaders in India to advance their interests and agenda in India, backed by their diplomats, who have controversial track records while in service.
Amidst elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the US diplomats had a meeting with National Conference leaders at Srinagar on 26 August. The US delegation included Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Graham Mayer, First Secretary Gary Applegarth, and Political Counselor Abhiram.
US diplomats called on National Conference Vice President @OmarAbdullah at his Gupkar residence today. The delegation included Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Graham Mayer, First Secretary Gary Applegarth, and Political Counselor Abhiram.
The meeting was also attended… pic.twitter.com/796WoWOLBp
— JKNC (@JKNC_) August 26, 2024
Prior to this, Ms. Jennifer Larson, US diplomat serving as Consul General in Hyderabad, comes with shady profile. She is alleged to have been involved in highly controversial American interventions in the Middle East and North Africa. Larson is accused of playing a significant role in US operations in Libya during the NATO intervention that resulted in Muammar Gaddafi’s death. This is viewed as a representative of the so-called “deep state”—a shadowy nexus of US intelligence and military interests that frequently operates with little oversight on crimes against the state.
She recently met with Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, leading some political analysts to suggest that Larson might be seeking to engage with Indian politicians capable of influencing or destabilizing internal dynamics, particularly concerning India’s Muslim community.
https://twitter.com/USCGHyderabad/status/1822955060336173302
Mike Hankey, the U.S. Consul General in Mumbai, has a background that includes leading the Palestinian Affairs Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem in early 2019, as well as playing a significant role during the Arab Spring, where he facilitated engagement with both Muslim and Christian communities in Egypt. He speaks Arabic, French, and Tamil.
He met Aditya Thackeray, former MLA and son of Uddhav Thackeray. Aditya claimed that he discussed about the bilateral relations with Mike Hankey.
Engaging conversation with US CG Mike Hankey this evening, discussing bilateral relations, urbanisation, education and much more. pic.twitter.com/REN65vU5dQ
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) November 21, 2022
The consulate in Kolkata engaged in discussing LGBTQI+ issues with the activisists from North Eastern region has also become part of building Indo-US relations.
https://twitter.com/USAndKolkata/status/1375476914698084354
https://twitter.com/USAndKolkata/status/1806668012059320506
Eric Garcetti, the former Mayor of Los Angeles who became the US Ambassador to India in 2023, is known for making statements that are often critical of Indian interests. During a July event, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti commented on Modi’s tour of Russia.
However, this was addressed by MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during one of his press conferences, where he stated “The other question was regarding comments on strategic autonomy. India, like many other countries, values its strategic autonomy. The US Ambassador is entitled obviously to his opinion. We also have our own and different views. Our comprehensive global strategic partnership with the United States gives us the space to agree, to disagree on certain issues while respecting each other’s view-points.”
The statements and activities of U.S. diplomats in India often raise concerns about their underlying motives. Observers have noted instances where these diplomats appear to overstep traditional diplomatic boundaries, engaging in actions that seem aimed at influencing India’s internal politics and societal dynamics. Meetings with political figures known for their divisive stances, coupled with subtle interventions in sensitive matters, suggest an attempt to shape India’s political landscape in ways that serve U.S. interests. Such actions risk undermining the relationship between the two nations, casting doubt on the true intentions behind these diplomatic engagements.
