Indian Businessman Allegedly Poses as CIA Agent in Indonesia Defense Deal
Gaurav Srivastava, an Indian businessman, has been accused of posing as a CIA operative to facilitate a multi-billion dollar defense deal with the Indonesian government. This allegation comes from lawsuits filed in the United States by his former business partner, Niels Troost, who claims that Srivastava convinced Indonesian officials, including then-Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, of his supposed CIA connections during military procurement meetings in 2020. By the end of that year, Srivastava reportedly secured three letters of intent for the purchase of military aircraft and defense items, including F-15 jet fighters and Black Hawk helicopters, with additional commitments following in 2021 and 2022.
Troost alleges that Srivastava developed a close relationship with Subianto, who became Indonesia's president in October 2024, and frequently visited his home. The Indonesian Defense Ministry, however, stated that all agreements made by Srivastava were preliminary and non-binding, emphasizing that the procurement process adheres to strict governance principles. Despite this, photographs of Srivastava with Subianto at signing ceremonies and press conferences announcing purchase agreements have raised questions about the legitimacy of the dealings. In 2022, the U.S. government approved the sale of 36 F-15s, matching the number mentioned in Srivastava's agreements.
Troost claims he was misled into believing Srivastava was a CIA agent, which led him to give Srivastava a 50 percent stake in his company, hoping to leverage those connections for lucrative contracts. Allegedly, Srivastava misappropriated $51 million from Troost’s company, funneling it to the Arsari Group, linked to Subianto's brother. He reportedly used part of these funds to purchase a $25 million mansion in Los Angeles. Srivastava presented himself as a successful entrepreneur with multiple firms, but investigations revealed these were shell companies that had been deregistered for tax noncompliance.
Boeing, which was involved in the F-15 sales process, ultimately ceased efforts to sell to Indonesia, as the deal was never finalized. Currently, the Indonesian government is exploring alternatives, including Turkish-built KAAN jet fighters. Authorities in Indonesia are investigating the transactions for potential corruption, while Troost has pursued racketeering charges against Srivastava in New York and California, describing him as a skilled con artist. Troost himself has a controversial background, having been sanctioned by the EU for allegedly purchasing banned Russian oil, although those sanctions were lifted this year. He claims they were partly due to his business disputes with Srivastava. Srivastava denies all allegations, asserting that they stem from a disinformation campaign against him.
