Protests around Adani’s project in Kenya, Congress sees anti-India
India is facing many challenges in the geopolitics of South Asia. On the one hand, their loyal ally Sheikh Hasina has been ousted in neighboring Bangladesh. Maldives has a Chinese influenced government. On the other hand, the rivalry with Pakistan and China is very old.
This time India is facing a new adverse situation in the African region. Recently, the Indian industrial group Adani is trying hard to take over an airport in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. However, Kenyan labor unions have been protesting against Adani’s plan since last month. Gradually this movement is getting stronger.
India’s opposition party, the Congress, fears that this anti-immigrant protest in Kenya may gradually turn into anti-India.
According to Indian media sources, the Kenya Aviation Workers Union has called for a strike against Adani’s acquisition of Nairobi Airport. India’s ruling party, BJP, has accused the Adani Group of giving reckless opportunities to share more profits. Most of the country’s media and industrial houses are monopolizing Adani.
In such a climate, the Congress has warned the government about the controversial friendship between Narendra Modi and Adani Group chief Gautam Adani over the Kenya issue.
In a statement, party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said, “This is a matter of grave concern for India.” Because the non-biological Prime Minister’s (Narendra Modi) friendship with Adani is now well-known worldwide. So this protest can easily turn into anger against India and the Indian government.”
Referring to Bangladesh, the statement further said, ‘Similar controversies over Adani projects in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have undermined our national interests and brought negative consequences for India. For example, in Jharkhand
The Bangladesh government’s agreement to buy electricity from Adani’s coal-fired power plant became a key point in the movement last month demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Congress leader also said, ‘Adani Group’s renewable energy projects in Sri Lanka’s Mannar district also sparked controversy. Due to this, massive protests against the Sri Lankan government also started in 2022.
Jairam Ramesh said, ‘Historically, India’s soft power has been one of its foreign policy strengths. Today, the Prime Minister’s alliance with the Adani Group has contributed to undermining this power and an unprecedented shift for India on the global stage. This is one of the sacrifices the country has had to accept due to the special friendship of a non-biological prime minister.’
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union claims that the proposed deal with Adani, if implemented, would bring in workers from outside Kenya and result in the loss of many Kenyan jobs.
Adani Group has investments in at least 8 airports in India including 3 in Sri Lanka, 2 in Vietnam.
