India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reportedly advised the Commerce Ministry against holding a ministerial-level meeting with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates during his visit to India last month, amid renewed global attention on his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to reports, the Commerce Ministry had sought the MEA’s opinion regarding a proposed interaction with Gates at an event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to mark its centenary year.
Proposed Meeting Linked to FICCI Centenary Event
The interaction was expected to take place during the “Curtain Raiser of FICCI @100” programme, which was scheduled on February 19 in New Delhi.
The event coincided with the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit being held in the national capital, where several international leaders, technology experts and industry representatives were present.
However, sources indicated that the MEA advised caution regarding a ministerial-level engagement with Gates at the time.
Epstein Links Under Renewed Global Spotlight
The advisory reportedly came as Gates’ past meetings with Jeffrey Epstein have recently returned to international headlines, drawing scrutiny in several countries.
Epstein, a financier, was convicted of sex crimes involving minors and his network of influential contacts has been the subject of global investigation and controversy.
While Gates has previously acknowledged meeting Epstein and called it a “mistake,” he has maintained that the meetings were related to philanthropic discussions and not personal association.
Government Maintains Diplomatic Sensitivity
Officials familiar with the matter suggested that the MEA’s recommendation was part of a precautionary diplomatic approach, considering the sensitivities surrounding the controversy.
The government has not issued an official public statement on the advisory.
Despite the development, Gates continues to maintain strong ties with India through his philanthropic initiatives, particularly via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which works extensively in the country in areas such as healthcare, vaccination, agriculture and digital public infrastructure.
The episode highlights how global reputational issues can influence diplomatic engagements even with high-profile global figures visiting India.
