ON NOVEMBER 20, the US department of justice indicted Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, and several of his associates, on charges of promising bribes to Indian government officials—in states such as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu—and hiding this promise from Adani Green Energy’s US investors.
Days later, Erik Solheim, former executive director of the UN Environment Programme and an advocate of green energy, tweeted: “When will American overreach stop? Last week the global media was full of stories about an 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[s] 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?”Solheim’s tweet was interesting as he is part of the Tamil Nadu government’s climate council. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Solheim clarifies his stand on the issue. Excerpts:
Q/ You tweeted that the US authorities’ indictment of Gautam Adani was an overreach. Why do you think so?
A/ We cannot have the US as the policeman, who is the judge for everyone else. Will they allow any other country to question their businessmen? That is the answer to your question. If they have issues in India, they should alert Indian officials, Indian courts and let them inquire about their own businessmen. To clarify, I am not speaking on behalf of the Adanis or India, but as an individual who advocates green energy infrastructure.
Q/ It is believed that the Trump administration is not for investment in green energy. So, will the Adanis face more trouble when Trump takes over?
A/ I believe that Adani thinks this is the proper time to invest in the US because even if Trump is not supportive of the green energy initiatives, he may reduce some of the red-tapism or the restrictions that have been put up.... But, I have no indications to what way this is related to American political developments, so I will not speculate on that.
Q/ The Adani indictment has disrupted the Indian Parliament, with the opposition parties asking the government for an explanation. You, however, have a different point of view.
A/ I think the Adani Group has been absolutely critical in the green transformation of India. And yes, in the past, he made a lot of money from coal, but he has massive investment plans in solar and renewables. So he should get support to get this done. And this indictment is American overreach slowing down the evolution of solar energy. I think we should all be concerned because of that.
Q/ You are part of the Tamil Nadu government’s climate council.
A/ Yes. But again, this is my private opinion and has got nothing to do with the climate council or the government. I am not speaking on behalf of the DMK.
Q/ So are you completely rejecting the accusations against Adani? The SEBI, too, has its own allegations against him. Do you think this has all been orchestrated by those with vested interests?
A/ There is no way for me to judge on all these matters, but my main point is that only India can question him, not the US.
Q/ So you completely reject the accusations against Adani?
A/ I am not commenting on that. I have no knowledge about this. If there is an issue, it should be handled by the Indian courts and not the American ones.
Q/ The Adani Group has green energy projects in Sri Lanka. As someone who was once closely involved with the island nation (Solheim was part of the team that tried to resolve the ethnic conlict), what do you think will happen to the projects after the bribery allegations?
A/ I hope this investment can go on, perhaps with some amendments made by the Anura Dissanayake government, because there have been some concerns from the local people, in Mannar and other places. I hope that these investments go on because they create jobs and prosperity for Sri Lanka. And they also have a massive positive impact on the planet.