Norwegian diplomat criticizes US report on Adani Group; calls it “American overreach”

Erik Solheim slams US report on Adani Group as baseless and politically motivated

Erik Solheim, a former UN Environment Programme Executive Director and Norwegian diplomat, has strongly criticized a recent US government report on the Adani Group, calling it a case of “American overreach.” The report accuses individuals linked to the Adani Group of discussing bribes to secure solar energy contracts in India. However, Solheim questioned the validity of the allegations, stating there is no evidence of actual bribes or involvement of senior Adani executives.

Solheim expressed concerns over global media coverage of the indictment, arguing that the focus on the Adani Group by an American prosecutor is an example of undue interference in India’s domestic matters. “When will American overreach stop?” Solheim asked, emphasizing that such actions could hinder India’s green energy transformation and disrupt one of the country’s largest economic sectors.

Taking to social media X, Solheim wrote, “When will American overreach stop?? The last week global media have been full of stories about indictment against the Adani Group by an American Prosecutor. It is time the world starts asking when American overreach will stop? Let’s turn the table for a second and assume that an Indian Court charged top American business executives for crimes allegedly done in the US. Would this be acceptable to America? Would American media find it appropriate? Added it is now clear that the accusations are not against the top Adani leaders, Gautam and Sagar Adani. Nor is there evidence that bribes were paid by Adani executives to Indian government officials. The indictment solely rest on claims that bribes were promised or discussed. This American overreach has serious consequences for people’s lives. It makes it harder for one of India’s economic powerhouses to finance its operations. It forces the Adani Group to spend time and resources in court rather than building solar and wind plants. It simply slows down the green transformation of India. It’s time to put a stop to American overreach!

When will American overreach stop??

The last week global media have been full of stories about indictment against the Adani Group by an American Prosecutor.

It is time the world starts asking when American overreach will stop? Lets turn the table for a second and assume that… pic.twitter.com/w6JR6QM4vC

— Erik Solheim (@ErikSolheim) November 27, 2024

Solheim pointed out that the charges did not implicate Adani Group leaders Gautam and Sagar Adani and that there was no evidence suggesting that bribes were paid by Adani executives to Indian government officials.

He further criticized the report’s broader implications, saying that “American overreach” negatively affects people’s lives, particularly by forcing the Adani Group to divert resources into legal battles rather than advancing renewable energy projects like solar and wind farms. Solheim called for an end to such foreign interference, stating, “It’s time to put a stop to American overreach!”

Indian legal experts have also weighed in, with senior lawyer and former MP Mahesh Jethmalani dismissing the report as politically motivated. Jethmalani accused what he called the “Democratic deep state” in the US of weaponizing its judiciary to destabilize India, echoing Solheim’s sentiments that the charges were baseless.

The Adani Group, in response, rejected the allegations, calling them unfounded. In a statement, the conglomerate clarified that none of its directors or listed companies were implicated in the charges, emphasizing that the report was based solely on claims of discussed or promised bribes without any proof of execution.

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