Compromised PM didn't sign trade deal with US, but a bargain for Adani's release: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of entering into a trade agreement with the United States to allegedly secure relief for businessman Gautam Adani in an ongoing legal case in the USIn a post shared on social media platform X Gandhi claimed that the Prime Minister had not signed a trade deal in Indiarsquos national interest but had instead negotiated what he described as a bargain linked to Adanirsquos ldquoreleaserdquoCompromised PM trade deal mdash Rahul Gandhi RahulGandhi May 15 2026The remarks came after reports emerged that the US government had agreed to settle a lawsuit involving allegations against Gautam Adani and others linked to the Adani GroupThe Congress party intensified its criticism of the Centre following the developments alleging that the Modi governmentrsquos recent diplomatic and trade decisions were influenced by efforts to protect the industrialistJairam Ramesh questions IndoUS trade agreementCongress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh also attacked the government over the reported settlement discussionsRamesh claimed the reports had clarified why the Prime Minister had agreed to what he termed a ldquoonesidedrdquo IndoUS trade deal that allegedly favoured the United StatesHe further alleged that the government had compromised national interests and linked the issue to broader foreign policy decisionsIn a post on X Ramesh questioned whether recent diplomatic developments including the handling of Operation Sindoor in 2025 were influenced by pressure from US President Donald TrumpThe Congress leader alleged that the Trump administration was preparing to drop corruptionrelated charges involving the Adani case and questioned the governmentrsquos conduct in the matterUS lawsuit alleged bribery linked to solar energy contractsThe controversy relates to a lawsuit filed in the United States in late 2024 involving allegations connected to the Adani Grouprsquos renewable energy businessAccording to filings made by the US Securities and Exchange Commission SEC Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani who serves as a director at Adani Green Energy were accused of participating in an alleged bribery scheme between 2020 and 2024The lawsuit alleged that around USD 265 million in bribes were promised to Indian government officials to secure solar energy supply contracts expected to generate nearly USD 2 billion in profits over two decadesThe SEC further alleged that the group raised approximately USD 2 billion through loans and bonds including funding from American investors while allegedly making misleading statements regarding antibribery compliance and corporate governance practicesAdani Group has denied all allegationsThe Adani Group has consistently denied all allegations made in the US lawsuit and has maintained that its businesses operate in compliance with applicable laws and regulationsThe group has previously described the accusations as baseless and said it would contest the claims through legal channelsThere has been no official response so far from the Prime Ministerrsquos Office or the BJP regarding the latest allegations made by Congress leadersPolitical row intensifies over business and foreign policy linksThe issue has once again triggered a major political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress party with opposition leaders repeatedly accusing the government of favouring certain corporate groupsThe ruling BJP has consistently rejected such allegations and accused the opposition of making politically motivated claims without evidenceThe latest controversy comes at a time when the government is already facing criticism from opposition parties over fuel price hikes economic concerns and developments linked to Indiarsquos foreign policy and trade relations with major global powers