DEEP STATE :-NGO'S CRUCIAL PLAYGROUND

Over the past two decades, Ukraine has served as the most prominent example of externally orchestrated regime change. The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has played a crucial role in this process, funding over 72 NGOs and think tanks in Ukraine. The consequences of these efforts are now apparent to the world.

A similar strategy has been deployed in Bangladesh, where NED funds two major media organizations, the Liberal Arts University of Bangladesh, and various social research initiatives. These serve as instruments for exerting influence and shaping narratives in accordance with the geopolitical interests of its sponsors.

Indonesia has also witnessed recent mass protests, where NGOs and political figures aligned with the International Republican Institute (IRI) were found at the forefront of the demonstrations. This pattern highlights a well-established playbook of external involvement in domestic political agitation.

In a 1991 interview with The Washington Post, Allen Weinstein, a founding member of NED, acknowledged:

“A lot of what we do today was done covertly twenty-five years ago by the CIA.”

This admission, made over three decades ago, underscores the continuity of covert influence operations under the guise of democracy promotion.

The NED Framework: A Case Study of India and Its Neighboring Regions

The developments in Bangladesh provide a glimpse into the precision with which the NED framework operates. A notable example is the Friends of Kashmir initiative, which collaborates with the World Affairs Council. The World Affairs Council is funded by the Atlantic Council of NATO, which, in turn, receives direct funding from NED.

This complex funding structure creates a financial pass-through mechanism that enables NED to maintain plausible deniability while influencing narratives under the pretense of defending democratic values.

An examination of the board members of the World Affairs Council reveals key figures with backgrounds closely tied to intelligence agencies and state-sponsored influence operations. For instance, Mimi Burke’s profile exemplifies the way CIA-aligned operatives are embedded within think tanks and philanthropic organizations, transforming charitable initiatives into strategic tools for geopolitical maneuvering.

Strategic Funding Networks: NED and Its Global Partners

Among the many organizations supported by NED—either directly or through intermediary channels—is the World Democracy Movement, which funds the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). Between 2015 and 2021, CHRI received ₹23 crore in foreign funding, of which ₹13 crore originated from international sources. The primary funders include:

• The U.S. State Department (via the U.S. Embassy in Delhi)

• The British Embassy in Delhi

• Open Society Institute

• Omidyar Network

A significant grant of ₹1.82 crore from the U.S. State Department was allocated under the title “Advocacy and Outreach Programme for Detainees in Northeastern States of India.” This raises questions about the scope and intent of such foreign-funded interventions.

The Role of CHRI and Its Key Operatives

The leadership of CHRI includes prominent figures with extensive networks in international advocacy and legal activism. Wajahat Habibullah, the chairperson of CHRI India, has been a central figure in civil society initiatives. Another key individual is Maja Daruwala, who served as CHRI’s CEO for two decades before transitioning into an advisory role.

Daruwala is also a board member of Namati, an organization funded by the U.S. State Department, the Ford Foundation, the Omidyar Network, and the Open Society Foundation. Notably, Namati’s board includes Ricken Patel, founder of Avaaz.org, a platform known for its controversial positions on India-related issues.

Vivek Maru, the CEO of Namati USA, has been associated with two NGOs in India:

1. Sahjeevan – Funded by the Ford Foundation, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, the Azim Premji Foundation, and USAID-backed Dasra.

2. Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan – Receives funding from USAID, Oxfam UK, the Tata Trust, and The Hunger Project.

This funding network extends into India’s broader media ecosystem. For instance, Khabar Lahariya, an independent news platform, was funded by the Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation (IPSMF), which also supports Digipub, an umbrella organization for left-leaning digital media outlets in India.

The Political Undertones of “Mission Save Constitution”

Wajahat Habibullah also serves as the principal advisor to Mission Save Constitution, an initiative founded by activist Mehmood Pracha. Other key figures in this organization include:

• Dr. Ritu Singh – Former faculty member at Delhi University, involved in caste-based activism and the 2020–21 Indian farmers’ protests.

• Junmoni Devi Khaund – A lawyer from Assam, owner of Niri9 media platform and NRJJ Infra Pvt. Ltd., and a 2024 Lok Sabha candidate from Guwahati.

Pracha and his associates have been linked to events such as the 2020 anti-CAA protests and the 2023 All India Muslim Mahapanchayat, which was eventually called off due to security concerns.

The Larger Geopolitical Landscape

The overarching trend suggests a highly coordinated effort by international actors to exert influence over India’s socio-political landscape. The strategic deployment of NGOs, media outlets, and policy think tanks serves as a mechanism to shape discourse, orchestrate unrest, and establish footholds for intervention under the pretense of democratic advocacy.

While the stated objectives of these initiatives may appear altruistic, a closer analysis of their financial and organizational networks reveals a calculated strategy at play—one that necessitates greater scrutiny and informed public discourse.

ANSWER BY HISTORIAN; DR. VIKRAM SAMPATH