Adani's US Investment Plan Back on Track Despite Bribery Charges: Is Trump Behind Its Revival?

The Gautam Adani-led ports-to-power conglomerate, Adani Group, has revived its plans to invest in the United States (US) weeks after an executive order from the Trump administration provided relief to the group. 

The revival plan was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources close to Gautam Adani. The US investment plans include projects in the energy sector and infrastructure. The initiative was first announced by Adani in November 2024, following Donald Trump’s re-election as US president. 

"As the partnership between India and the United States deepens, the Adani Group is committed to leveraging its global expertise and investing $10 billion in US energy security and resilient infrastructure projects, aiming to create up to 15,000 jobs," Adani Group’s chairman had said in a tweet congratulating Trump. 

However, this ambitious venture was stalled after the Biden administration’s Department of Justice (DoJ) and the market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), indicted Adani and seven others on bribery charges. US authorities alleged that Adani Group executives, including Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and others, orchestrated a $265 million bribery scheme to secure a state government contract for a solar energy project. The group has denied all allegations. 

Now, the FT report said that the conglomerate plans to invest in nuclear power, utilities, and the development of an East Coast port in the US.

Why Revive the Investment Project Now? 

The Adani Group’s reported move comes after Donald Trump, through an executive order, directed the DoJ to halt enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). This was the law under which Adani Group executives and their associates were charged. The FCPA aims to curb corrupt practices by companies operating outside the US. 

The Trump administration has paused enforcement of the act for 180 days while the Justice Department reviews it. President Trump commented, "It sounds good on paper, but in practicality, it's a disaster." 

According to the FT report, when Trump took office, the group revived some of its plans. However, concerns remain, as Gautam Adani still faces legal uncertainty and the potential threat of renewed investigations. 

Since the charges against Adani were announced in November, US law firms Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Kirkland & Ellis, and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan have taken on Adani Group companies as clients, according to US lobbying disclosures. 

The group previously weathered corporate fraud and share price manipulation allegations in early 2023. These accusations were levelled by the now-disbanded New York-based short seller Hindenburg Research. The conglomerate and its chairman have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. 

Following the Hindenburg report, the Adani Group reportedly established a lobbying presence in the US and has spent at least $130,000 on lobbying efforts since mid-2023.