Declassified JFK Files Reveal CIA’s Secret Bases in India
Recently declassified JFK files reveal that the CIA operated secret bases in India, specifically in New Delhi and Kolkata, as part of a broader global network. Other covert sites were located in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, South Korea, and Japan, some of which faced legal scrutiny for alleged unlawful detentions. The documents, part of a massive release of over six million pages by the US National Archives, highlight the CIA’s long history of espionage and intelligence operations. Similar covert activities have been reported in Ukraine amid tensions with Russia.
India’s ties with the CIA date back to the Cold War, with cooperation in intelligence gathering after independence. In 1962, India allowed the US to use Odisha’s Charbatia airbase for refueling U-2 spy planes conducting surveillance over China. The CIA also supported Tibetan resistance fighters and assisted the Dalai Lama’s escape to India in 1959. Following the 1962 India-China war, the agency continued its collaboration by establishing a secret reconnaissance base in Odisha. These newly released documents provide deeper insights into the extent of CIA operations in India and the region.
Declassified JFK Files Reveal CIA’s Secret Bases in India
Recently declassified documents related to the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy have revealed details about the CIA’s covert operations in India. Released by the U.S. National Archives, these records confirm that the CIA operated secret bases in New Delhi and Kolkata, along with other global locations, including Rawalpindi (Pakistan), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Tehran (Iran), Seoul (South Korea), and Tokyo (Japan). Managed by the CIA’s New York division, some of these sites were allegedly used for detaining individuals without due legal process.
This disclosure is part of a broader collection of over six million pages of files, photographs, and other materials linked to Kennedy’s 1963 assassination. The U.S. government has been gradually declassifying these records, with approximately 2,200 documents recently made public under an order by former President Donald Trump.
The CIA has long maintained secret facilities worldwide, often referred to as “black sites,” for espionage, intelligence gathering, and, in some cases, the detention of suspects. Similar operations have been reported in Ukraine, where the agency has allegedly supported intelligence efforts against Russia in recent years.
India’s historical ties with the CIA date back to the Cold War era. A declassified document from 2013 revealed that in 1962, India permitted the U.S. to use the Charbatia airbase in Odisha to refuel U-2 spy planes conducting surveillance over China. This collaboration began earlier, following China’s annexation of Tibet in 1950, when India and the CIA worked together to monitor China’s activities. The CIA also supported Tibetan resistance groups and played a crucial role in assisting the Dalai Lama’s escape to India in 1959.
After India’s defeat in the 1962 war with China, the CIA continued to provide intelligence support, establishing a covert surveillance base in Odisha. These revelations shed light on the depth of the CIA’s involvement in the region during that period, offering new insights into the global intelligence operations of the Cold War era.
The declassified files highlight the strategic alliances and covert activities that influenced international relations, showcasing the CIA’s significant—though often concealed—role in historical events. These revelations offer a deeper understanding of how intelligence agencies operated during the Cold War, often shaping diplomatic and military strategies behind the scenes. The CIA’s involvement in India underscores the geopolitical importance of the region, particularly in countering Chinese influence and supporting allied interests.
Additionally, the documents provide insight into how intelligence networks collaborated across borders, sometimes without the knowledge of local governments. As more records continue to be released, they may further expose the extent of espionage and covert operations that shaped global power dynamics. Understanding these historical activities is crucial for analyzing modern intelligence strategies and the ongoing influence of agencies like the CIA in contemporary geopolitics. These files not only reveal past strategies but also raise questions about the ethical implications of secret intelligence activities and their long-term impact on international relations.