'Not Informed By US; Issue Of Private Individuals': Ministry Of External Affairs On Indictment Of Adani In Bribery Case

Distancing Indian government from the indictment of Gautam Adani and others from the Adani Group in the United States (US), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called it a legal issue involving "private individuals and entities."

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on Friday (29 November) that the Indian government was not informed in advance by the US. Additionally, he confirmed that no request had been received to serve a summons or arrest warrant in the case.

Responding to questions during the weekly MEA briefing, Jaiswal said the matter concerns private companies and individuals and the US Department of Justice (DoJ).

"Obviously, there are established procedures and legal avenues in such cases, which we believe would be followed… We have not been informed in advance on the issue," he noted.

He also clarified that there had been no discussions with the US regarding the matter and reiterated that no requests related to summons or warrants had been received.

Such requests, he explained, typically fall under mutual legal assistance agreements and are evaluated based on their merits. "This is a matter that pertains to private individuals and private entities," he said.

"The government of India, we are not part of it legally in any manner at this point in time. We see it as a case between the US Department of Justice and private individuals and entities," Jaiswal added.

The US DoJ recently unsealed a criminal indictment against Gautam Adani and others, alleging that they paid $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts.

US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, remarked, "As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars."