6 US Congressmen have written to the newly appointed Attorney General of the United States against decisions made by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) such as the indictment against the Adani Group in an alleged bribery scam. They believe that this could jeopardize the relationship with “close ally” India.
A group of six lawmakers, including Lance Gooden, Pat Fallon, Mike Haridopolos, Brandon Gill, William R. Timmons, and Brian Babin, penned a letter to US Attorney General Pamela Bedi on February 10, expressing concerns over certain decisions made by the Department of Justice under the Biden administration.
Adani was charged by the US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay over $250 million (about Rs 2,100 crore) bribe to Indian officials in return for favorable terms for solar power contracts. Prosecutors alleged that this was concealed from the US banks and investors, from whom the Adani group raised billions of dollars for the project. However, the Adani group, had denied the allegations.
“Some of these decisions involved selectively pursuing and abandoning cases, often acting against America’s interests at home and abroad, jeopardizing relationships with close allies like India,” the 6 US lawmakers said in the joint letter.
They called India an important ally of the United States for decades.
“This historical partnership and continuous dialogue between friends, however, was put at risk due to some unwise decisions by the Biden administration,” lawmakers said. “One such decision involves a questionable pursuit of a case against the Adani group, an Indian company whose executives are situated in India. This case rests on the allegation that preparations were made by members of this company in India to bribe Indian officials, also exclusively located in India,” they added.
Adani Group Case: What Else US Congressmen Said?
“Instead of deferring the case to the appropriate Indian authorities, the Biden DOJ decided to push forward and indict the company’s executives without any real injury to US interests being present,” lawmakers wrote. The Congressmen argued that pursuing the case in a way that risks straining relations with India, a key US ally, seems unjustified unless external influences are driving the decision.
“Considering President Trump’s commitment to revive America’s economic prosperity, our economic relationship with valuable partners from India and abroad works as an important factor in achieving that goal,” these 6 lawmakers said.
“Considering these factors and the lack of any real injury to US interests, the decision to pursue this indictment demonstrates more harm for America’s interests than good, if any,” they added.
Lawmakers emphasized that the America and India share a sense of mutual respect and appreciation, a sentiment emulated by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi.
“Conversely, politically motivated decisions by agencies steered by left-wing megadonors could quickly erode years of hard work and diplomacy forged by our leaders. A fallout in relations not only harms our longstanding partnership with a key ally but greatly benefits adversaries like China in their goal to eliminate the American economy and achieve total global economic control through their Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),” the letter by Congressmen read.
“We request you investigate the Biden DOJ’s conduct and would appreciate you sharing with us all records pertaining to this case, for a coordinated effort in uncovering the truth,” they concluded.
