Rahul Gandhi Claims Adani Probe Limits PM Modi’s Stance Against Trump

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Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ability to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump is compromised due to an ongoing American investigation into the Adani Group. In a recent statement on social media, Gandhi claimed that “Modi’s hands are tied” and that a threat to expose financial links between the Prime Minister and Adani related to Russian oil deals prevents him from effectively responding to Trump’s rhetoric and tariff threats.

Gandhi’s accusation follows Trump’s repeated threats to “substantially” raise tariffs on India, which currently stand at 25% on certain goods. Trump has justified his stance by accusing India of not being a good trading partner and of purchasing large quantities of Russian oil, which he claims India then sells on the open market for profit. In an interview, Trump said he was “not going to be happy” if India continued to “fuel the [Russian] war machine.”

The U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have indicted Adani and his nephew on charges of paying bribes to Indian government officials to secure lucrative solar power contracts. The SEC’s indictment alleges that the Adani Group paid millions in bribes and misled U.S. investors about its anti-bribery compliance during a $750 million bond offering. The Adani Group has denied these allegations.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has pushed back against Trump’s criticism, defending India’s right to an energy policy based on its national interest. The MEA has also pointed out what it calls a double standard, noting that other nations, including the U.S. and some European countries, continue to trade with Russia in various sectors.

Gandhi’s claims tie these two separate issues, Trump’s trade threats and the U.S. investigation into the Adani Group, into a single narrative. He did not provide further details to support his claims about a direct link between the two matters. The government and the Adani Group have yet to issue a formal response to Gandhi’s latest allegations.