Archive · 13 Aug 2025
US, UK, and India Teamed to Combat Communists in Kerala
During the Cold War, the US and UK were worried about communism spreading.
When communists won an election in Kerala, India, they took action.
The US used the CIA to secretly give money to people who opposed the communists, hoping to cause problems and remove them from power.
The UK also got involved, using its intelligence agencies to train Indian officials to fight against communism.
These secret operations show how countries worked together to stop the spread of communism during that time.
The CPI's victory in the 1957 Kerala election prompted covert actions by the US and UK.
The CIA funded operations to create unrest against the CPI government.
The British government, through MI6 and MI5, collaborated with India's IB to undermine the CPI.
Indian officials were trained in the UK to counter communist influence.
Newly declassified documents reveal details of Western intelligence cooperation in India during the Cold War.
- Who
- The US (CIA), UK (MI6, MI5), and India's Intelligence Bureau (IB), against the CPI.
- What
- Covert actions and collaboration between the US, UK, and India to undermine the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Kerala.
- When
- Starting in 1957, during the Cold War.
- Where
- Kerala, India and in the UK.
- Why
- To prevent the spread of communism and to counter the CPI's influence in Kerala.
CPI and Supporters
US, UK, and Congress Party
Legitimacy of Governance
CPI and Supporters
The CPI sought to govern Kerala through democratic means.
US, UK, and Congress Party
Western powers viewed the CPI as a threat to democracy and a Soviet puppet.
Foreign Intervention
CPI and Supporters
The actions by the US and UK constituted interference in India's internal affairs.
US, UK, and Congress Party
These actions were deemed necessary to protect democracy and counter communist influence.
- Year of Kerala election
- 1957
- Countries involved
- US, UK, India
- Focus
- Undermining the CPI
- Main actions
- Funding opposition, training officials
- UK agencies involved
- MI6, MI5, IB