The Government of India has clarified that it was not informed in advance by the United States regarding the recent indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani in a bribery case. Addressing the issue, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “This matter pertains to private firms and individuals involving the US Department of Justice. Established legal procedures are in place for such cases, and we trust these will be adhered to. The Government of India received no prior notification from the US.”
Jaiswal also confirmed that no discussions on this matter have occurred between India and the US. He further added, “Any request from a foreign government regarding summons or arrest warrants falls under mutual legal assistance frameworks and is evaluated based on merit. As of now, no such request has been received from the US in this case.”
Allegations Against Gautam Adani
On November 21, US prosecutors alleged that Gautam Adani was involved in a scheme to pay over $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts. The Adani Group, in response, dismissed the accusations as “baseless” and pledged to explore all available legal remedies.
In a stock exchange filing, Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) clarified that the US Department of Justice’s indictment, filed in a New York court, does not explicitly name Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, or Vneet Jaain in any conspiracy charges related to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Political Reactions in India
The allegations have sparked a political uproar, with opposition parties, led by the Congress, sharply criticizing the Narendra Modi government. Rahul Gandhi, addressing the media outside Parliament, stated, “It is evident that the Adanis will deny the charges. The issue here is accountability. While individuals are frequently arrested for minor infractions, someone indicted in a case involving thousands of crores in the United States remains free. The government appears to be shielding him.”
Adani Group’s Position
The Adani Group has strongly refuted the allegations, emphasizing their intention to defend their position through legal channels. The group termed the claims as devoid of merit, signaling its commitment to transparency and compliance.
This development has raised questions about corporate governance and accountability, with Indian banks reportedly reviewing their exposure to Adani-related entities in light of these allegations. The case continues to draw significant attention domestically and internationally, given its potential implications for India-US relations and business practices.