India puts Ford Foundation on Watch list due to national interest and security concerns

India puts Ford Foundation on Watch list due to national interest and security concerns

New Delhi, India: The Indian government has put US based donor agency Ford Foundation on its watch list due to “national interest and security” concerns and foundation will remain under the surveillance of intelligence agencies till further orders.

Marie Harf, the Acting Spokesperson of US Department of State was asked about Ford Foundation controversy during daily press briefing but she responded that she had no information at hand to comment on the issue.

The Ford Foundation is a New York headquartered, globally oriented private foundation with the mission of advancing human welfare by Edsel Ford and Henry Ford. The foundation’s first international field office opened in 1952 in New Delhi, India.

According to details, everybody linked directly or indirectly with Ford Foundation will under the net of intelligence agencies and could be investigate by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Indian government is claiming that Ford foundation is working against the interest of Indian society.

Social activist organizations are criticizing Modi government over this development calling it political victimization. India main stream media is running articles and opinion branding Ford Foundation as a front for the American external spying agency CIA. The Ford Foundation is accused of funding the NGOs and movements which according to Indian government are actually working against India’s socio, political and economic interests.

According to details, the Union home ministry (Federal government) on Friday has ordered that any funds from the Ford Foundation to any NGO or agency must first receive the ministry’s clearance.

Marie Harf, the Acting Spokesperson of US Department of State was asked about Ford Foundation controversy during daily press briefing but she responded that she had no information at hand to comment on the issue.

QUESTION: So Indian Government has ordered that all funds coming from Ford Foundation from U.S. to any agency or NGO in India will have to be cleared by the ministry of home affairs. So what is your —

MS HARF: I hadn’t seen that. I’m happy to look into it.

QUESTION: Okay. Now, the other – the media reports are also saying that Ford Foundation has been targeted because they’re supporting the NGOs which are supporting the victims of 2002 riots in Gujarat, and —

MS HARF: I’m happy to check. I’m sorry. I haven’t seen any of these reports.

QUESTION: — Modi was denied visa for those. And this comes on the heels of Greenpeace license – which you must be knowing – Greenpeace license has been suspended. They cannot accept donation from (inaudible). So do you think it’s a way to silence the opposition?

MS HARF: I haven’t seen the reports. I’m happy to check.

QUESTION: Okay.

MS HARF: Thank you. Yes.

QUESTION: Can I ask again —