The diplomatic landscape shifted significantly as Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a historic visit to Israel, a move that captured the world's gaze. While the two nations worked to solidify a strategic partnership spanning trade, technology, and defense, the visit sparked a sharp backlash from a specific collective of "Free Palestine" advocates and leftist circles. This "intelligentsia," comprising various secular politicians and media outlets, has been vocal in its condemnation of the Prime Minister’s address to the Knesset.

Leading this charge is Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla, the Co-General Coordinator at Progressive International (PI). She drew massive attention by labeling the Prime Minister "anti-national" for his participation in official Israeli state protocols. Referring to the guest book at the Israeli Parliament, Nellutla posted on X (formerly Twitter) on February 25th: “Signing our beautiful country’s name in the blood-stained Knesset is the singlemost anti-national thing one could do.”

A Firm Stance Against Terrorism

Despite the criticism, the Prime Minister’s address to the Knesset on February 25th was a cornerstone of the trip. He reaffirmed India's unwavering support for Israel, emphasizing a bond built on shared democratic values and a mutual fight against global terror.

Crucially, the Prime Minister explicitly condemned the actions of the Palestinian group Hamas, specifically citing the October 7, 2023, massacre that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israeli civilians. Addressing the tragedy directly, he stated: “We feel your pain; we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond. No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism.” In recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties, the Knesset honored him with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, their highest award for foreign dignitaries.

Inside Progressive International: The Network and the Narrative

To understand the source of the criticism, one must look at Progressive International (PI), where Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla holds a leadership role. Launched in May 2020, the organization describes its mission as: “The Progressive International launched in May 2020 with a mission to unite, organise and mobilise the world’s progressive forces.” Gandikota-Nellutla oversees the "Blue Print" policy and "The Hague Group" within PI. The organization has a documented history of pro-Palestine advocacy and has often been accused of downplaying the impact of Islamic terrorism. A review of their official publications reveals a recurring theme of criticizing the Indian government. For instance, in 2023, PI described the administrative action against illegal structures following violence in Nuh, Haryana, as the ‘demolition of India’s democracy’—a statement supported by figures like Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.

The PI platform also hosts briefings such as "Naked Hindu Supremacism," which critics argue vilifies the Hindu community. Furthermore, regarding the Manipur crisis, the organization attributed the conflict to "Hindu nationalists" waging a "supremacy war."

Key Figures and Controversial Ties

The influence of PI is bolstered by a council of well-known activists, including Harsh Mander. Mander, a former IAS officer who resigned following the 2002 Gujarat riots, has frequently written on what he terms the "marginalization" of Muslims in India. In one 2018 article shared by former Pakistani PM Imran Khan, Mander wrote:

“Muslims are today’s castaways, political orphans with no home, for virtually every political party. This is despite India being home to a tenth of the world’s Muslims, around 180 million people, making it the largest Muslim country after Indonesia and Pakistan. There has never been a harder time to be a Muslim in India, not since the stormy months that followed India’s Partition.”

Mander has also been linked to the Centre for Equity Studies (CES) and was among those who filed a review petition against the Ayodhya Verdict.

Other notable PI members include:

• Jayati Ghosh: A former JNU professor who has criticized the government's handling of protests related to Afzal Guru.
• Jeremy Corbyn: The former UK Labour leader who has faced scrutiny for his historical interactions with members of Hamas and Hezbollah. Corbyn’s 2022 meeting with Rahul Gandhi also sparked controversy due to his stance on Kashmir.
• Vijay Prashad: A Marxist journalist and director of Tricontinental, who is a central figure in the network funded by Neville Roy Singham.

The Singham Connection and Newsclick

The investigation into PI often leads back to the Newsclick controversy. Reports, including a major exposé by the New York Times, have suggested that Neville Roy Singham funded a global network to promote specific narratives. A 2024 Delhi Police chargesheet alleged that funds were routed to stoke anti-India sentiment regarding the farmers' protests and Kashmir.

Furthermore, PI's membership includes the Arab Resource and Organising Centre, which is sponsored by the Tides Foundation. This foundation has previously provided grants to Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) and the AMAN Public Charitable Trust, both of which have been scrutinized in the context of the Newsclick-China funding investigation.

Personal Ideologies and Regional Stances

Varsha Gandikota-Nellutla's perspectives are often framed by her personal connections and political leanings. She has publicly identified Varavara Rao, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, as her uncle, writing: “I write about my uncle, Varavara Rao, the revolutionary poet in prison.” Her social media presence frequently equates Hindutva with Zionism, though she has faced criticism for not addressing the persecution of Hindus in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Following India’s response to the May 2025 Pahalgam attack, she lamented the lack of "anti-war" sentiment in the country, stating: “Disturbing to not see a single anti-war political leader in India today. With zero space for anything other than jingoism in the public media, the drums of war beat across the political spectrum.”

As the legal proceedings regarding Newsclick and foreign funding continue, the intersection of international activist groups and domestic Indian politics remains a subject of intense public debate.