Bill Gates arrived in India on February 16 and met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Amaravati. (Image source: x/@ncbn)The Ministry of External Affairs advised the Commerce Ministry against a “ministerial meeting” with Microsoft cofounder and philanthropist Bill Gates during his visit to India last month amid renewed global scrutiny over Gates’s associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, The Indian Express has learnt.The Commerce Ministry is learnt to have sought the MEA’s opinion regarding an event organised by industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry to mark its centenary year, “Curtain Raiser of FICCI @100.”This event was scheduled for February 19, the same day the global AI summit began in the Capital.Explained | Despite arriving in India, why Bill Gates pulled out of the India AI Impact Summit“MEA does not recommend a ministerial meeting of HCIM (Hon’ble Commerce and Industry Minister) with Mr Gates, or their joint participation at an event, from the political angle at this stage,” an official at the MEA’s AMS (Americas) division conveyed to the Commerce Ministry.The AMS division handles bilateral relations with countries in North, Central, and South America, including the USA and Canada.It is learnt that the MEA’s advice to the Commerce Ministry was issued “with the approval of the competent authority.”Sources said after the MEA’s communication, the FICCI event was postponed.Story continues below this adThe MEA’s note of caution comes amid widespread global scrutiny of Gates’s relationship with Epstein, which reportedly began in 2011, three years after Epstein’s initial conviction for sex crimes involving minors.When contacted, a Commerce Ministry spokesperson said, “MEA will respond to this.” An email seeking response from the MEA remained unanswered.Gates arrived in India on February 16 and met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan and senior state officials. He was scheduled to deliver his keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit on February 19 but hours earlier he withdrew from the event.On February 19, the Gates Foundation issued a statement: “After careful consideration, and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities, Mr. Gates will not be delivering his keynote address. The Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit.”Story continues below this ad“The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals,” it added.Earlier, the Gates Foundation said that it will continue to review material released in connection with Epstein files.“On the basis of Epstein’s claims that he could mobilize significant philanthropic resources for global health and development, a small number of foundation employees interacted with Epstein to try to secure this potential funding. Ultimately, the foundation did not pursue any collaboration with Epstein and no fund was ever created. At no time were financial payments made by the foundation to Epstein, nor was he employed by the foundation at any time,” it said in a statement on February 11.“The harm Epstein inflicted on women and girls was horrific, and no one should ever have to experience what they did,” it added.Story continues below this adThe Gates Foundation and FICCI did not respond to emails.The Gates Foundation, which began its work in India in 2003, works with the Centre, many state governments and private sector stakeholders across various sectors including health and development issues, from maternal and child health, nutrition, vaccines and immunization to family planning, inclusive financial systems and sanitation.Emails released by the US in January as part of the Epstein investigation showed exchanges between Epstein and Anil Ambani and Epstein and Hardeep Puri when he was a diplomat in New York and a private citizen. Puri has strongly denied any wrongdoing citing emails which, he has said, show him talking about India’s economic growth and meetings with key potential investors.Epstein, a wealthy financier, cultivated a network of prominent political, academic, and business elites while running a long-term, illicit sex-trafficking operation involving underage girls. Following his 2019 arrest and subsequent death by suicide in federal custody, there has been controversy regarding his light 2008 conviction, the identities of his associates, and allegations that powerful figures were protected from prosecution.Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister’s Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Bill GatesJeffrey Epstein