Government to reject espionage allegations until the name of NSO Group’s Indian client is revealed: Chidambaram: The Tribune India

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New Delhi, July 27

The government would dismiss the espionage allegations until it is known who the “Indian client” of Israeli firm NSO Group spyware Pegasus was and that name would soon be revealed, top Congress leader P Chidambaram.

The former interior minister said based on investigations by an international group of journalists, news portal ‘The Wire’ reported that there was “an Indian client of the NSO group”.

Last week, an international media consortium reported that more than 300 verified mobile phone numbers, including those of two ministers, more than 40 journalists, three opposition leaders as well as dozens of businessmen and activists in India, could have been targeted for hacking via ONS Group’s Pegasus spyware.

The government has denied all opposition allegations in this affair.

“Who was the ‘Indian client’? Was it the Indian government? Was it a government agency? Was it a private entity? Chidambaram asked in a tweet.

“I’m sure the client’s name will be revealed soon. Until then, I assume the government will dismiss the espionage allegations,” he said.

Amid reports that French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett over Pegasus’ espionage allegations, Chidambaram also attacked the Center on Monday, claiming that the only government “indifferent” to the question was that of India.

The parliamentary information technology panel led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor is likely to question senior government officials, including those in the Home Office, later this week on the Pegasus espionage allegations , according to sources. PTI

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