Representatives of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani have reportedly held discussions with officials from US President Donald Trump’s administration in an effort to resolve criminal charges filed against him. According to a Bloomberg News report, the primary purpose of these meetings is to explore the possibility of having the foreign bribery allegations against Adani dismissed.
Talks between Adani’s team and Trump-era officials began in early 2025, and the report indicates that they have become increasingly intense over the past few weeks. If the current pace of negotiations continues, a resolution could be reached within the next month.
In November, US authorities charged Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani with engaging in bribery related to Indian power supply contracts. The case also involves allegations of misleading American investors during fundraising campaigns. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken particular interest in the charges, pointing to alleged misconduct during a major bond offering by Adani Green Energy.
The SEC stated that Gautam Adani and his nephew were accused of paying significant bribes to Indian officials. Additionally, they are alleged to have misrepresented their anti-bribery compliance protocols during a $750 million bond offering conducted by Adani Green Energy. The Commission believes that investors may have been misled due to inaccurate compliance disclosures presented as part of that fundraising initiative.
Adani’s legal and political team is now arguing that pursuing these criminal charges contradicts the priorities of the Trump administration. According to Bloomberg’s report, Adani’s representatives believe the prosecution is not in line with the agenda of Trump’s Justice Department and is therefore seeking reconsideration of the charges.
“The discussions, which commenced in early 2025, have intensified in recent weeks, with potential resolution anticipated within approximately a month, provided the current momentum continues,” the report noted.
Despite the gravity of the allegations and the high-profile nature of the individuals involved, the Adani Group, the White House, and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) have all declined to make public statements. Bloomberg reported that all three parties refused to comment on the ongoing discussions.
Reuters also sought responses from the involved parties, but none had provided immediate replies. The silence from the Adani Group and American officials has left much of the public and business world speculating on the potential outcome of the negotiations.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Adani Green Energy issued a public statement in late March defending its conduct. The company maintained that it found no wrongdoing in the SEC’s indictment following its own internal assessment. Adani Green said, “Their assessment of the US indictment revealed no compliance violations or irregularities.”
The charges stem from broader US efforts to ensure that foreign companies, especially those seeking investments from American capital markets, adhere to strict anti-corruption laws. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits companies from bribing foreign officials for business gains. US prosecutors allege that the Adanis violated this law by offering bribes in exchange for favorable treatment in the awarding of electricity supply contracts in India.
The charges also raised concerns about the integrity of corporate disclosures made to investors during fundraising rounds. Misrepresenting compliance with anti-corruption measures can have serious consequences under US law, including criminal prosecution, fines, and restrictions on future access to US capital markets.
Gautam Adani, one of Asia’s richest men and head of the vast Adani conglomerate, has faced scrutiny in the past, particularly from global watchdogs concerned about transparency and governance. However, these latest charges have prompted an even closer examination of the business practices of his group, especially as it continues to seek financing and partnerships on an international scale.
Although Trump is no longer president, Adani’s team appears to be engaging officials still aligned with or active in his network, in the hopes of leveraging influence for a favorable legal outcome. According to Bloomberg, “Adani’s team is presenting arguments that his prosecution does not align with Trump’s administrative priorities and warrants reconsideration.”
Legal analysts believe that such back-channel negotiations are not uncommon in high-stakes international business disputes, especially when national interests and large investment flows are involved. Yet, they caution that the DOJ maintains independent authority and is not bound by political considerations when deciding whether to proceed with or dismiss charges.
The report did not confirm whether Adani himself has traveled to the United States or been involved directly in the discussions. However, his legal team and representatives appear to be working diligently behind the scenes to settle the matter before it escalates into a prolonged courtroom battle.
Meanwhile, the business implications of the case remain significant. If the charges are not resolved quickly or favorably, it could impact Adani Group’s reputation among global investors and possibly restrict future efforts to raise funds through US financial institutions. Additionally, regulatory scrutiny may increase in other countries where Adani’s companies operate or seek partnerships.
At this stage, much remains uncertain. But what is clear is that one of India’s most powerful businessmen is now caught in a legal tangle that spans continents and could have far-reaching effects on international corporate governance.
For now, the world is watching to see whether the Adani Group’s lobbying efforts with Trump-era officials will bear fruit or whether the US legal system will pursue the case to its full extent. The outcome of this case could set a precedent not just for Adani, but for all international firms navigating the complexities of US anti-corruption laws.
As of now, “Representatives from the Adani Group, Justice Department and White House declined to comment on the matter,” according to Bloomberg.
The outcome, expected possibly within a month if talks continue as planned, will likely be watched closely by investors, regulators, and corporate leaders worldwide.