Six U.S. Congressmen write to new Lawyer Common in opposition to Adani’s indictment

As many as six U.S. Congressmen have written to the newly appointed Lawyer Common of america in opposition to “questionable” selections made by the U.S. Division of Justice (DoJ) such because the indictment in opposition to the Adani Group in an alleged bribery rip-off, which “jeopardises the connection with shut ally India”.

Lance Gooden, Pat Fallon, Mike Haridopolos, Brandon Gill, William R. Timmons and Brian Babin on Monday (February 10, 2025) wrote to Pamela Bondi, Lawyer Common of the U.S. drawing “consideration to some questionable selections made by the DOJ underneath the Biden administration”.

In November 2024, U.S. prosecutors charged Mr. Adani with collaborating in a scheme to pay Indian officers over $250 million (about ₹2,100 crore) in bribes in alternate for beneficial phrases for solar energy contracts.

This was hid from the U.S. banks and traders from whom the Adani group raised billions of {dollars} for the venture, the prosecutors have alleged.

U.S. regulation permits pursuing international corruption allegations in the event that they contain sure hyperlinks to American traders or markets.

The Adani group, nonetheless, has denied the costs.

“A few of these selections concerned selectively pursuing and abandoning circumstances, usually performing in opposition to America’s pursuits at residence and overseas, jeopardizing relationships with shut allies like India,” the Congressmen stated within the joint letter.

India, they stated, has been an necessary ally of america for many years. This relationship has flourished past politics, commerce, and economics by evolving right into a steady socio-cultural alternate between the world’s two largest democracies.

“This historic partnership and steady dialogue between pals, nonetheless, was put in danger as a consequence of some unwise selections by the Biden administration,” they stated.

“One such determination includes a questionable pursuit of a case in opposition to the Adani group, an Indian firm whose executives are located in India. This case rests on the allegation that preparations had been made by members of this firm in India to bribe Indian officers, additionally solely situated in India.

“As a substitute of deferring the case to the suitable Indian authorities, the Biden DOJ determined to push ahead and indict the corporate’s executives with none actual damage to US pursuits being current,” they wrote.

No cause to pursue case

The Congressmen stated there was no compelling cause to pursue a case in a way that might complicate relations with an ally like India until some exterior components had been at play.

“This misguided campaign got here on the danger of harming our relationship with a strategic geopolitical associate like India instantly previous President Trump’s return to the Oval Workplace.

“Contemplating President Trump’s dedication to revive America’s financial prosperity, our financial relationship with useful companions from India and overseas works as an necessary think about attaining that objective,” they stated.

The letter went on to state that unnecessary pursuits in opposition to those that have contributed tens of billions and created 1000’s of jobs deter and discourage traders from contributing to the U.S. financial system.

“Contemplating these components and the shortage of any actual damage to U.S. pursuits, the choice to pursue this indictment demonstrates extra hurt for America’s pursuits than good, if any,” it stated.

America and India share a way of mutual respect and appreciation, a sentiment emulated by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. President Trump has at all times recognised the true potential of a robust and helpful relationship between two financial and army superpowers just like the US and India. He has diligently labored with the Modi authorities to forge a robust relationship between our two nice nations. Prime Minister Modi has reciprocated these efforts by proving India to be a useful ally of America within the Asia-Pacific area, particularly in opposition to the rising menace from China, in accordance with the letter.

“Conversely, politically motivated selections by companies steered by left-wing megadonors might shortly erode years of onerous work and diplomacy cast by our leaders.

“A fallout in relations not solely harms our longstanding partnership with a key ally however enormously advantages adversaries like China of their objective to get rid of the American financial system and obtain complete international financial management by means of their Belt and Highway Initiative (BRI),” it stated.

This selective pursuit by the Biden DOJ, regardless of figuring out the potential outcomes of such a reckless determination, requires a re-assessment, they wrote including figuring out the actual issues guiding this determination may even be a serious step in uncovering whether or not the earlier administration was compromised to exterior entities over the previous 4 years.

“We request you examine the Biden DOJ’s conduct and would recognize you sharing with us all data pertaining to this case, for a coordinated effort in uncovering the reality,” they added.