Modi Denies Adani Allegations Discussion with Trump, Rahul Accuses Cover-Up

ANS: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has denied any discussion with US President Donald Trump regarding the bribery allegations against billionaire Gautam Adani.

Responding to a journalist’s query about whether the issue was raised during his meeting with Trump at the White House, Modi emphasized that such personal matters are not typically addressed by national leaders.

He stated, “First of all, India is a democratic country, and as per our tradition and culture, we consider the entire world as our family. I consider every Indian as my family.” Modi further added, “The premiers of two countries never meet and talk for all these personal matters.”

Trump did not comment on the issue during the press conference.

The allegations against Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, surfaced in November last year, before Trump assumed office. The US government charged Adani with bribery and fraud in a multibillion-dollar scheme involving Indian officials. Adani and several executives of his company, including his nephew Sagar Adani, were accused of paying $265 million in bribes to secure contracts for his renewable energy company. It was also claimed that Adani met with Indian officials to discuss the alleged bribery scheme.

The Adani Group has denied all allegations, calling them “baseless” and stressing that the charges remain as allegations. The company has vowed to pursue all legal options to clear its name. As stated by the US Department of Justice, “the charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.”

Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, have criticized Modi for allegedly covering up the matter. Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of failing to address Adani’s alleged corruption, after Modi stated that such issues were not part of his discussions with Trump.