Fresh documents released by the US Justice Department have shown that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein had connections reaching India, including a multi-year communication with Indian businessman Anil Ambani. The messages, reported by Bloomberg, span from early 2017 to 2019 and include conversations on business, global events, travel plans and women.
The exchanges ended just months before Epstein was arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges in the US. Epstein later died in custody in 2019.
Messages, meetings and personal requests
Text messages show Epstein and Ambani discussing plans to meet in cities such as Paris and New York, and sharing views on global developments like the reaction to Donald Trump during the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos.
In one message dated March 2017, Ambani asked Epstein, “Who do u suggest?” Epstein replied, “a tall Swedish blonde woman, to make it fun to visit.” Ambani responded within seconds: “Arrange that.”
When Ambani planned a visit to New York in May 2019, Epstein invited him to his Manhattan residence, adding that he could quietly arrange meetings with people Ambani wished to see. Records show that the two met at Epstein’s Upper East Side home, after which Epstein messaged Ambani saying, “Today was a treat, nice seeing you.”
A representative for Ambani declined to comment on the messages.
Books, Bollywood links and global networking
The documents also show Epstein trying to understand the Ambani family’s background. In March 2017, he ordered books such as Ambani & Sons and Storms in the Sea Wind: Ambani Vs Ambani, which detail the business rivalry between Anil and his brother Mukesh Ambani after their father Dhirubhai Ambani’s death.
Epstein also asked Ambani about his interest in actresses and models. When Epstein joked that he hoped Ambani did not prefer Meryl Streep, Ambani replied that his company’s next film was with Scarlett Johansson. Johansson starred in Ghost in the Shell, which was co-produced by Reliance Entertainment. Epstein responded approvingly to Ambani’s taste.
The records highlight Epstein’s habit of using influential contacts to expand his reach. In February 2017, Indian-American spiritual leader Deepak Chopra described Ambani to Epstein as very wealthy, celebrity-focused, and noted that the Ambani brothers did not get along.
Epstein also reached out to businessman Tom Pritzker and venture capitalist Peter Thiel to strengthen his links with the Ambani circle.
Anil Ambani, once among India’s richest businessmen, has faced major financial setbacks in recent years and remains under investigation in India over bank loan issues, while Mukesh Ambani continues to lead Reliance Industries as Asia’s richest man.
The documents add to the growing picture of how Epstein stayed connected with powerful figures across the world long after his 2008 conviction, using wealth, access and personal ties to maintain his global network.
