USIBC President Criticizes Media, Stresses Responsible Journalism Amidst US-India Defense Deals

Defense News ,US & India :- Expressing concerns over media coverage, US-India Business Council (USIBC) President Ambassador Atul Keshap strongly criticized certain outlets on Thursday for disseminating "uninformed, erroneous gossip" without proper fact-checking. While upholding the principles of a free and independent media, he underscored the importance of responsible journalism, particularly when dealing with sensitive topics such as defense deals between nations.

In a recent interview with ANI, Keshap remarked, "What I find interesting is there’s a lot of absolutely uninformed, erroneous gossip being spread in media organs that, frankly, have a track record of not checking their facts and stories are completely at variance with the actual facts… but people ought to do the bare minimum of fact-checking before they go out and publish what is essentially erroneous gossip."

The Biden administration has formally notified the US Congress of its intent to sell nearly $4 billion worth of arms, primarily consisting of MQ-9B drones armed with Hellfire missiles. Keshap highlighted the complexities of arms deals between democracies, emphasizing transparency and the rule of law in the process. He emphasized the need for a systematic approach involving the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in the US for evaluating and approving arms deals, clarifying that the ongoing drone deal follows the same procedural steps as any other defense agreement.

Shifting focus to the broader India-US relationship, Keshap acknowledged the positive momentum in both governments' efforts to implement the joint statement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden. Despite impending elections in both countries, he observed a shared commitment to advancing the strategic partnership.

Keshap conveyed optimism about the ongoing collaboration in areas such as ISET, Indus X, and the innovation handshake, highlighting progress in key sectors like semiconductors, cybersecurity, outer space, and defense enterprises. He commended the serious work happening on the ground, showcasing the resilience and strength of the strategic relationship between India and the United States.

"We have more and more Indian leading companies joining our board because USIBC is where a lot of this work is converging. And I see a lot of movement, a lot of intent by both governments to make the most of the ground game in US-India relations in an election year, even as both systems are focused on elections," added the USIBC President. Ambassador Atul Keshap emphasized the continuous convergence of interests and the unwavering commitment of both nations to address challenges and deepen cooperation as the US-India partnership navigates through election cycles.