These days, only one name is being heard all over the world – Deep State. On January 4, 2026, America occupied Venezuela, which is being considered a big example of helping the Deep State. With the theory of these two words, America has toppled governments in many countries, started wars and even stopped wars. But now the question arises whether India needs to be cautious about this?
What is the reality of Deep State Theory?
According to EBSCO’s research report, ‘Deep State is a secret network made up of government, corporate and non-government people. These people work separately from the elected governments and interfere in making policies. In America, it is linked to intelligence agencies like CIA, FBI and NSA. This network furthers its interests by weakening the governments. In many countries of the world, the deep state is considered responsible for toppling governments or spreading instability. This is not just a theory, but is related to many historical events.
When did the Deep State begin and what is its history?
The term Deep State originated in Turkey, where a road accident in the 1990s exposed the nexus of the government, police and mafia. In Turkish it was called ‘Darin Develet’ i.e. deep state. Its roots in America spread from the Second World War. After Japan’s Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, the US created the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which was responsible for intelligence and covert operations. The OSS was given a lot of power to win the war, but after the war, then President Harry Truman closed it down because he considered it a threat to American democracy.
Nevertheless, during the Cold War, the Central Investigation Agency i.e. CIA was started in 1947, which worked like the OSS. The CIA overthrew governments in several countries, such as Iran in Operation Ajax in 1953, Guatemala in 1954, Congo in 1960, Chile in 1973, and Ecuador in 1981. These operations were to protect American interests, but they strengthened the theory of the Deep State.
How did the deep state become a threat to America?
In America, the deep state is considered more powerful than the elected government. It is a network of intelligence agencies which works secretly. For example, in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, President John F. Kennedy took advice from people associated with the Deep State and implemented a blockade instead of an attack. The CIA interfered in elections around the world. From 1945 to 1975, the CIA ran Project SEMROC, in which it spied on its own citizens. The Deep State is considered a threat to American democracy because these unelected people hold a lot of intelligence and can blackmail Congress members.
What is Donald Trump’s opinion on the Deep State?
US President Donald Trump continuously calls the Deep State a threat to America and the world’s democracy. He said in the election campaign that the deep state was hollowing out his country and he would end it. The role of the deep state was also mentioned in the attack on Trump. Trump’s foreign policy mentions the ‘Monroe Doctrine’, which allows America to intervene in Latin America. They say that the deep state can change the decisions of the government. Elon Musk also considers the deep state a threat. However, Trump’s policies are being implemented in other countries like Venezuela.
Is the takeover of Venezuela part of the Deep State?
In Venezuela, America toppled the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Trump called it his victory, but experts believe that it could be a strategic defeat for America. America adopted the strategy of ‘de-legitimization’, that is, it intervened by declaring the Venezuelan government illegal. After Venezuela, Greenland, Cuba and Colombia are also in trouble. There are many countries in Trump’s ‘hit list’, where America can enter and change the regime. This is related to the theory of Deep State, where America topples governments for its own interests. Despite this, the American government itself is also in danger from the deep state.
What is the theory of deep state in countries like Nepal and Bangladesh?
According to experts, the deep state is like a snake hidden in the sleeve. Which is nurtured by the governments themselves, but becomes a victim when the time comes. There is no single form of Deep State. Gen-Z demonstrations took place in Nepal in 2025, where youth took to the streets on the issues of corruption, social media ban and restoration of monarchy. Some people consider it a conspiracy by the American or Chinese deep state. The US invests through USAID and MCC, while China exerts influence through BRI projects.
The fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh was also linked to the deep state. But many experts call it a conspiracy theory, because no concrete evidence was found for it. America wants to strengthen India so that it can compete with China, hence the conspiracy to weaken India is meaningless. The problems of Nepal and Bangladesh are domestic, such as corruption and economic crisis.
What does the theory of deep state say in India?
There is talk of deep state in India also. In 2024, the then Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had called it a threat to democracy. Standing in the House, he had said, ‘We cannot allow the largest democracy to be made dysfunctional by deep state anywhere else. That means we will not let India’s democracy be destroyed at the hands of the deep state at any cost.
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi had called George Soros’s Open Society Foundation foreign powers. There are allegations of spreading instability in India. During the 2020 farmers’ movement and emergency, there was talk of interference by unelected people. There are allegations of foreign interference in Indian elections. The fall of governments in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Syria is linked to the deep state, but there is no concrete evidence.
Why should India be cautious after Venezuela?
Defense expert and retired Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarni says, ‘It is clear from the American interference in Venezuela that the deep state can target even big countries. There is talk of India’s name appearing in Trump’s ‘hit list’, because America can influence India with its policies. Instability in Nepal and Bangladesh affects India’s borders. China is increasing its influence in Nepal through BRI, while America can intervene through NGOs. India is a regional power, but turmoil in neighboring countries increases challenges. It is important to be cautious about the deep state theory, because foreign powers can interfere in elections and movements.
Sanjay Kulkarni said, ‘India is now the fourth largest economy in the world with $4.18 trillion. India will now have to think in detail about countries like America and China. India can easily deal with enemies like Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Is the Deep State a conspiracy theory or reality?
Many experts consider the deep state as a conspiracy theory, because it has no solid basis. It is meaningless to blame both America and China. The problems of Nepal and Bangladesh are domestic, such as corruption and bad governance. But historical events such as CIA interference in Iran and Chile strengthen this theory. Governments use it to hide their failures. Countries like India should be cautious, but should not make allegations without evidence.
