Modi takes a question: PM says ‘every Indian is part of family’ when journo asks about Adani case

Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be proud of his “culture” of avoiding press conferences when he’s in India. But now that he’s in the United States meeting President Donald Trump, he attended a press briefing where a journalist asked him a question anyway.

It was a double-whammy – not only did a journalist ask him a question, but the question was on whether Modi asked Trump to “take action” on the case against Gautam Adani. 

The journalist said, “Can I ask whether you discussed at all today the case of Gautam Adani, who’s one of the wealthiest men in Asia and perceived as an ally of Prime Minister Modi. Prime Minister Modi, have you asked the president to take action on that case?”

Modi replied in Hindi: “India is a democracy built on the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the world is one family. Every Indian is part of this family, and we do not bring personal matters into conversations between two nations.”

For context, Gautam Adani and several others were indicted in New York last year over charges of alleged bribery and securities fraud related to solar energy projects in India. According to prosecutors, Gautam Adani and other executives conspired to pay over $265 million –  approximately Rs 2,236 crore – in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts. Adani’s nephew Sagar Adani is among the accused.

The Adani Group said the charges were baseless and insisted that it’s a “law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all lies”.

While the case was initiated under Joe Biden’s administration, the situation has now changed. Earlier this week, Trump paused the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act – the regulation that was applied to Adani’s case. He said it “sounds good on paper” but “it’s a disaster”. 

So, how will the Trump presidency pan out for Narendra Modi? Read this 2020 essay on Newslaundry on the parallels between the two leaders.

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