News Brief
US Lawmaker Criticises Biden Administration's Probe Into Adani Group—Here's Why
Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group. (@gautam_adani/Twitter)
An influential Republican lawmaker, Lance Gooden, has criticised the Biden administration for its investigation into Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his companies, warning that such selective actions could harm critical alliances, particularly with India.
In a letter dated 7 January to US Attorney General Merrick B Garland, Gooden, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, questioned the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) priorities and raised concerns about the potential impact on US-India relations and economic growth.
"The Department of Justice's selective actions risk damaging critical alliances with key partners like India, one of America's strongest allies in the Asia-Pacific region," Gooden wrote.
He further argued, "Instead of pursuing cases with tenuous jurisdiction and limited relevance to US interests, the DOJ should focus on punishing bad actors at home, rather than chasing rumours abroad."
Gooden highlighted that targeting entities like Adani Group, which invests billions of dollars and creates thousands of jobs in the US, could discourage potential investors.
"An unwelcome and politically charged atmosphere for investors will only stall efforts to revitalise America's industrial base and economic growth, directly undermine President Trump's commitment to revive the economy with increased investments," he said.
"Given the timing of these decisions coincides with the end of the Biden administration, concerns arise that the only true goal here is disruption for President Trump," Gooden stated.
Gooden questioned the DOJ’s jurisdiction over the Adani case, pointing out that the alleged crimes occurred in India and involved Indian parties.
"The allegations in the Adani case, even if proven true, would still fail to make us the appropriate and final arbiter on the issue," he noted.
He also asked why the DOJ has not indicted any Americans in the case and whether the department plans to escalate the matter into an international dispute with India.
"Will the DOJ seek an extradition of the Indian executives involved in this case? What is the DOJ's contingency plan if India refuses to comply with an extradition request and claim sole authority over this case?" Gooden asked.
