(Revised) Adani may face heat of US sanctions on Myanmar

Blurb: Report claims group in port deal with junta firm

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Quote: Project independent

The Yangon project is independent with no joint venture partners. We are watching the situation carefully and will engage with relevant authorities to seek their advice

Adani Ports spokesperson

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 30

The impact of US sanctions on two Myanmar military companies may be lapping Indian shores after Australian human rights lawyers claimed that Adani Group is financially involved with one of the companies.

The US sanctioned Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) last week as it was “a vital financial lifeline” for the junta which has overthrown the elected government and killed hundreds of unarmed protesters.

Though the lawyers’ report claims Adani is paying about Rs 2,500 crore to MEC, the group sees it differently.

The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) and the Justice for Myanmar (JFM) group say the documents reveal that the amount was provided to MEC which “stands credibly accused and is being investigated at the ICC and ICJ for crimes against humanity”.

The intention is to pressure Canberra into dumping its investment in Adani Ports, which also owns North Queensland operations linked to Carmichael coal mine. These Australian lawyers and activists also want sovereign wealth funds and pension funds to stop investing in Adani Group on ethical grounds.

Last month, Adani Group had denied it had engaged with Myanmar’s generals over the approval of its port. A UN fact-finding mission in 2019 had warned foreign companies against doing business with MEC and had specifically named Adani Ports as one of them.