New Delhi: Documents from the seized devices of Jeffrey Epstein, the American financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for trafficking minors, reveal communications with Indian businessman Anil Ambani spanning 2017 to 2019 – including discussions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a May 2019 meeting where Epstein met with someone he described as a representative sent by Modi during India’s election period.The records, which include text messages and emails from Epstein’s iPhone, show Ambani seeking information from Epstein about Modi’s diplomatic visits and Epstein positioning himself as a connector between Indian interests and American political figures.The most significant communications occurred in May 2019 – barely six weeks before Epstein’s arrest on federal charges of trafficking underage girls – as India’s general election results were being counted.Between May 14 and May 20, Epstein and Ambani coordinated a meeting for May 23, the day results were announced showing Modi’s decisive re-election victory. On May 20, Epstein sent a message to Steve Bannon, Trump’s former chief strategist, stating “modi sending someone to see me on thurs,” referring to Thursday, May 23. That Thursday afternoon, at 4.30 pm, Ambani arrived at Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse at 9 East 71st Street, according to email confirmations from Ambani’s secretariat. That evening, at approximately 9.05 pm EDT, Epstein sent Ambani a message, “today was a treat, nice seeing you.” Less than an hour earlier, around 8.23 pm EDT, Epstein had sent a message to Bannon reporting on what he called a “really interesting modi meeting.” The Wire is unable to confirm whether Modi did indeed send “someone to see me”, as Epstein’s message says, and if so, whether that person was Anil Ambani or a third, as yet unidentified, individual.According to the message, Epstein met with someone he referred to as Modi’s representative – “his guy.” In that message, Epstein wrote that this person said “no one in wash speaks to him,” referring to Modi, and that Modi’s “main enemy is CHINA! and their proxy in the region pakistan.” The message concluded that the representative said Modi “totally buys into your vision,” though it does not specify whose vision or what it entailed. At the time, Bannon, though out of the White House since August 2017, had remained influential in conservative political circles as a vocal anti-China advocate.Later, Epstein wrote “his focus wants to be stopping china” and “I can set,” suggesting further arrangements were being made.In the early hours of May 24, around 2:06 AM EDT, Bannon wrote to Epstein: “I’m doing a one hour show for India on Modi while here– bringing American Hindu guys with us.” Epstein messaged Bannon in the same thread stating that Modi’s inauguration was on Sunday. This was followed by Epstein’s cryptic announcement of “modi on board” at around noon local New York Time and a proposal to connect Modi with Steve Bannon over their shared concerns about China. The US-based outlet, Dropsite News, had first reported on this text conversation between Epstein and Bannon.That same morning, Epstein had proposed to Ambani that “mr modi might enjoy meeting steve bannon, you all share the china problem.” Ambani responded “Sure.” There is no indication in the available documents whether such a meeting occurred.Epstein was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008 and served 18 months in jail. By 2017 and 2018, however, overwhelming evidence had emerged of both his pedophilia and his role in trafficking young girls.The Wire has reached out to Anil Ambani via WhatsApp and iMessage and to the corporate communications team at his company seeking a response to the information contained in the US DoJ’s ‘Epstein Library’. This story will be updated as and when they reply.Anil Ambani chairs the Reliance ADA Group after its 2005 split from his elder brother Mukesh Ambani. His wealth peaked in 2008, when Forbes ranked him the world’s sixth-richest person with an estimated net worth of $42 billion. During Narendra Modi’s tenure, Reliance Defence became an offset partner in the 2016 Rafale fighter jet deal, a move that drew controversy after former French president François Hollande said India had pushed the partnership, a claim the government denied. Reliance Infrastructure said it became debt-free in FY25 after repaying an amount of Rs 3,300 crore. Ambani has also faced regulatory action. In August 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India barred him from the securities market for five years.In late 2025, the Enforcement Directorate attached assets worth about Rs 1,120 crore in alleged loan fraud cases, taking total assets under scrutiny to roughly Rs 10,117 crore. In January 2026, the agency attached a further Rs 1,885 crore and arrested a former Reliance Communications director.2017: ’Need ur guidance on dealing wth white house for india relationship ad defense cooperation’The relationship between Epstein and Ambani apparently began in February 2017, when Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai Ports World, shared the Indian businessman’s contact details.The next day, February 23, 2017, Epstein and Ambani’s messages indicated that they had already met. Epstein sent a text saying he was happy “to meet another member of sultans family.” Ambani replied: “Thanks. Enjoyed mtng u. Will learn a lot from u.” In the same exchange, Epstein told Ambani he had sent him contact details for Ehud Barak, whom he described as “a level above the rest,” though Epstein noted “I personally don’t get near defense business in any form.”A week later, on March 2, Ambani sent his first substantive request. “Will need ur guidance on dealing wth white house for india relationship ad defense cooperation,” he wrote. Epstein responded by asking what Ambani was willing to give. “No ideology needed. tit for tat,” he wrote. Ambani replied: “Indian market whatever works!”The next day, Epstein suggested Ambani download Signal messenger for secure communications, promising “i will get some inside baseball for you.”On March 16, Ambani sent a message from Delhi that revealed the scope of what he was seeking. “Leadership wld like ur help for me to meet jared and bannon asap,” he wrote, referring to Jared Kushner and Steve Bannon. “Likely visit to dc by pm in may to meet donald. Also assitance on that.” Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, was also serving as Senior Advisor to President Trump.The next day, March 17, Epstein sent an email to Tom Barrack, a real estate investor and close ally of then-President Donald Trump. “Anil ambani, India, is coming to new york first week april, i think you would enjoy, modi is coming in may,” Epstein wrote. Barrack had served as chairman of Trump’s inaugural committee.Later that month, on March 29, Ambani texted Epstein asking about Modi’s planned Washington visit. “The white hse announced yday pm modis trip to dc. Can u tell me whn and the dates?”Two days later, Ambani followed up. “Any visibility on dates of our pm visit to dc?” he asked, also inquiring about “track 2” contacts, a term for unofficial diplomatic channels. By April 12, Ambani was updating Epstein on developments in Delhi. He informed Epstein that National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster was visiting as “the first hi ranking official from trump admin” and that the PM would visit DC in June. When Epstein asked about his focus, Ambani replied: “India pakistan defense.”Epstein then asked if Ambani had a Washington lawyer. “They are conduits and required,” he wrote. “US rules are oppressive.”In their exchanges about Modi’s visit planning, Epstein relayed what he presented as inside information about US policy constraints on India. “Im told that buy India in reality is limited to a certain category of things,” he wrote. “Many can only be truly made in america. (with its inherent risks for back doors.) IT- yes, jet engines no.” But he added there was “very enthusiastic” interest in “having private biz involved as it is seen to be much less corrupt than govt.”Epstein also told Ambani that “discussions re israel strategy were dominating modi dates” but that “lots and lots of internal conflicts taking priority.” On April 27, Epstein reported back from what he described as White House discussions. “White house yesterday, focus as a previously said on israel,” he wrote. On June 7, Epstein wrote that “Modi did well in St. Petersburg. Could play a giant role,” referring to the St Petersburg International Economic Forum that Modi attended on June 1-2. In the same message, he noted that “india still not pinned down” regarding Trump administration policies. A month later, on July 6, Epstein sent an email to a contact in Qatar describing Modi’s recent visit to Israel. “The Indian Prime minisiter modi took advice. and danced and sang in israel for the benefit of the US president. they had met a few weeks ago.. IT WORKED.!”In a statement on January 31, the MEA has said, “Beyond the fact of the Prime Minister’s official visit to Israel in July 2017, the rest of the allusions in the email are little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal, which deserve to be dismissed with the utmost contempt.”In March 2018, Epstein told Ambani that “Steve bannon with me in Paris. Come visit.” Three weeks later, on March 29, he asked directly: “Would you like to meet with Steve bannon.” The next messages were in April 2019 when Ambani was seeking Epstein’s help with a personal financial matter. “How can u help to arrange financing at corporate level?” Ambani asked on April 21. In the same exchange, Ambani asked who Epstein would recommend he meet, noting that India’s “general election results on 23 may while i am in nyc.” Epstein suggested “Bannon? Rumbler” and “Ruemmler former White House counsel. Ehud Barak etc.”