NEW DELHI – Narendra Modi-led Indian government bought Israeli spywarePegasus back in 2017 as part of a $2-billion defense package, *New YorkTimes* report revealed.
The report of the US-based publication revealed that Tel Aviv sold thepowerful spying tool to many countries, which led to the ending up in thehands of nationalist leaders worldwide.
The spying tool was sold to Poland, Hungary, and India, despite thesecountries’ poor records on human rights. India’s relations with Israel werefrosty for decades, however, in 2017, Narendra Modi made a historic trip toIsrael, which was the first time a sitting Indian premier had officiallyvisited the Jewish state.
During Modi’s visit, the two sides agreed on the sale of a package ofhigh-end weapons and intelligence gear worth nearly $2 billion while thePegasus spyware and a missile system were at the centerpieces. Followingthe Indian premier’s visit to Tel Aviv, Netanyahu visited New Delhi in2019, it added.
As the reports about Pegasus surfaced, the matter was brought up by theopposition parties in the Indian parliament. Politicians had protestedwhile pleas were filed in the top Indian court against the BJP government.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also lambasted the government and said the BJPgovernment has committed treason.
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In a recent tweet, he said the Modi government bought Pegasus to spy onstate leaders and the public. They have targeted the ruling party, theOpposition, the court, by tapping their phones. This is treason. The Modigovernment has committed treason.
Last year, reports revealed that several countries used Israeli spyware onopponents. New Delhi also targeted Pakistan with the Pegasus as more than1,000 numbers in India appeared on the surveillance list while hundredswere from Pakistan including Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Another report claimed that India used Pegasus to hack the mobile phones ofdozens of public servants in Islamabad. Several military officers andsenior bureaucrats were also targeted.
