ISLAMABAD: The recent unsealing of millions of pages from the JeffreyEpstein case files has brought to light a highly offensive email sent byNorwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen to the convicted sex offender onChristmas Day 2015. In the correspondence, Rød-Larsen quoted a derogatorysaying targeting Indians, sparking widespread condemnation acrossdiplomatic and public spheres. This disclosure has once again drawnattention to the troubling connections between global elites and Epstein,while raising serious questions about prejudice among senior internationalfigures.
The email in question, dated December 25, 2015, was part of a thread titled“Re: Seasons Greetings.” Rød-Larsen responded to a message forwarded byEpstein with the following words: “Have you heard the saying: when you meetan Indian and a snake, kill the Indian first.” Epstein replied with thephrase “two faced,” prompting Rød-Larsen to add: “the question is how doyou tell one from the other.” The exchange has been widely interpreted as aracist stereotype rooted in historical prejudice, and it has provokedstrong criticism for its dehumanising tone.
Terje Rød-Larsen is a well-known figure in international diplomacy. Heserved as president of the International Peace Institute in New York from2005 until his resignation in 2020. During his career, he played asignificant role in the Oslo Accords negotiations in the 1990s and heldsenior United Nations positions, including Special Coordinator for theMiddle East Peace Process. His professional reputation, however, has beenovershadowed in recent years by revelations of financial and personal linksto Jeffrey Epstein, including a documented loan that drew public scrutiny.
Claims circulating on social media that Rød-Larsen currently serves as aminister in the Norwegian government are inaccurate. He held the positionof Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Planning and Cooperation for abrief period in 1996, but resigned following a tax-related controversy.Since stepping down from the International Peace Institute in 2020, he hasmaintained a low public profile. Norwegian authorities have repeatedlystated that his past associations with Epstein remain under review.
The Epstein files, which include thousands of emails, images, and otherdocuments, were made public as part of ongoing legal proceedings in theUnited States. While the release does not automatically imply wrongdoing byevery individual named, it illustrates the extensive network Epsteinmaintained among politicians, diplomats, business leaders, and academics.In Rød-Larsen’s case, the documents show repeated contact over severalyears, including discussions on global policy matters and visits toEpstein’s properties.
The remark has drawn particular anger in India. Many commentators andsocial media users view the statement as an insult to the dignity of theIndian people. Although the email referenced Indian politician HardeepSingh Puri indirectly, no evidence links him to Epstein’s criminalactivities. Public reaction in India has included demands for diplomaticclarification and formal condemnation of the language used by the formerNorwegian official.
This incident has broader implications for trust in internationaldiplomacy. The casual nature of the exchange, conducted between twoindividuals with significant global influence, highlights how deeplyingrained biases can persist even at the highest levels. Observers notethat such revelations damage the credibility of institutions andindividuals who present themselves as advocates for peace, equality, andmutual respect.
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Norwegian officials have sought to distance the current government fromRød-Larsen’s personal comments. The country continues to emphasise itsstrong commitment to combating racism and discrimination in all forms. Inrecent years, Norway has faced questions about the conduct of its diplomatsand their past associations, particularly as the nation assumesresponsibilities on the United Nations Security Council.
The release of these files serves as a powerful reminder of the long-termconsequences of private communications. When such messages eventuallybecome public, they can permanently alter perceptions of those involved. Inthis instance, the email has prompted renewed calls for greatertransparency, ethical accountability, and vigilance against prejudicewithin diplomatic and elite circles.
The controversy surrounding Rød-Larsen’s remark underscores the importanceof consistent values in international relations. As more details from theEpstein documents continue to emerge, they are likely to fuel furtherdebate about integrity, responsibility, and the standards expected of thosewho shape global policy.
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