Indian industrialist Gautam Adani’s representatives have reportedly initiated discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration officials, seeking a review of an ongoing bribery investigation by American regulators. The effort focuses on aligning legal interpretations with current administrative priorities and clarifying compliance-related concerns.
According to a Bloomberg report cited by The Times of India, these diplomatic-level conversations have been underway since early 2025 and have gained momentum in recent weeks. The Adani team is believed to be presenting its case as one of corporate transparency and legal overreach, particularly in the context of an international bond offering.
The case involves allegations made by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) in late 2024. These agencies had questioned whether Adani Group officials, including Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani, provided accurate anti-bribery compliance declarations during a $750 million U.S. bond issuance and whether any improper payments were made in securing Indian energy contracts.
However, in a formal response issued in March 2025, Adani Green Energy, part of the Adani Group stated that a comprehensive internal assessment found no compliance violations and that all relevant disclosures were in line with regulatory expectations. The company emphasised that it cooperates with U.S. authorities and maintains robust governance protocols.
Notably, no formal criminal indictment has been made public by U.S. authorities, and officials from the DOJ, SEC, and the Trump White House declined to comment on the report. Legal experts say that while the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is typically enforced with bipartisan rigor, each administration may prioritize enforcement differently.
The ongoing dialogue is being viewed as a strategic effort to resolve the matter without escalating into formal litigation. With India-U.S. economic ties deepening, and the Adani Group playing a central role in infrastructure and energy investment, both sides are expected to weigh legal merits alongside broader business diplomacy.
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