The Indian National Congress Party has condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration following President William Ruto’s decision to cancel two deals with Adani Group worth Ksh338 billion over alleged graft.
While criticising the Indian government, Indian politicians termed Ruto’s move a huge foreign policy setback for the Asian country amidst Adani’s close ties with PM Modi’s regime.
In a statement published on Thursday, November 21, Congressman Jairam Ramesh condemned Modi’s relationship with the Adani Group, describing it as a risk to national foreign policy and economic interests.
According to the Congress leader, India's global strategies must not be dictated by a single business entity such as Adani, reiterating the diplomatic harm it could cause India.
“It was expected to happen, and it has today. Kenya has cancelled the airport and power transmission deals of the Modani Group. The non-biological PM’s long-standing relationship with the Adani Group is globally well-known,” Ramesh stated.
"Our nation's foreign policy cannot be subordinated to the interests of just one business conglomerate. Modani’s sweetheart deals just bring us disrepute. This is a foreign policy disaster that will cloud our soft power for years to come,” he added.
On Thursday afternoon, President Ruto ordered Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and his Energy counterpart Opiyo Wandayi to “immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process” involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s companies.
Speaking during a State of the Nation address in Parliament, the Head of State attributed the decision to the evidence and credible information on graft involving the multilateral company provided by the country's investigative agencies and partner nations.
"I now direct procuring agencies within the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA Expansion Public Private Partnership transaction, as well as the recently concluded KETRACO transmission line deals," Ruto directed.
“I have stated in the past, and I reiterate today, that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on graft, I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” he added.
In March this year, Adani submitted a proposal seeking to take over the management of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Three months later, the government approved the relevant aviation policies, granting the Indian conglomerate a headstart.
The Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP), which would grant the company 30 years to run the country’s main airport, attracted widespread backlash, especially from the aviation workers who protested the move.
Adani had pledged to spend Ksh238 billion to upgrade and expand the airport, however, the deal was termed unaffordable for the country, and it further threatened job losses.
