The Indian government’s decision to relax national security protocols along the Pakistan border for a renewable energy project has sparked controversy, particularly due to the project’s allocation to billionaire Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, the Adani Group. The move, which has raised concerns among military experts and opposition leaders, highlights the intricate nexus of business, politics, and national security.
The Adani Group is constructing the Khavda renewable energy park in Gujarat, touted as the world’s largest such project. While this aligns with India’s renewable energy ambitions, the project has come under scrutiny for its strategic location—a mere kilometer from the India-Pakistan border. The decision to ease security measures to facilitate the project has drawn sharp criticism, with defense analysts questioning the implications for national security.
Official documents reveal that before April 2023, Gujarat officials lobbied the central government, urging amendments to defense protocols to enable large-scale solar and wind energy installations in the Rann of Kutch, a region with a history of military conflict between India and Pakistan. Previously, defense guidelines restricted significant infrastructure development within 10 kilometers of the border. However, following a confidential meeting in April 2023, attended by senior military officials and government representatives, the defense ministry relaxed these restrictions. The decision was formalized by May 2023, not only for the India-Pakistan border but also for territories adjoining Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, and Nepal.
Military experts have raised alarms about the repercussions of placing a key energy asset so close to the border. Colonel (Retd.) Ajai Shukla, a defense analyst, has warned of the strategic risks, stating that compromising border defense protocols for commercial gains places an additional burden on the military. Senior officers have expressed concern over how the army would mobilize forces in the event of an incursion, especially given past hostilities in the Rann of Kutch. Some have even questioned the claim by developers that solar panels could act as deterrents against enemy tanks.
The sequence of events leading to the project’s allocation to Adani also raises eyebrows. Initially, the 230 sq km land parcel closest to Pakistan was allotted to Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a state-run enterprise. However, in May 2023, under the chairmanship of Renewable Energy Minister R.K. Singh, SECI was encouraged to surrender the land, citing a lack of commercial viability. By July, SECI returned the land to the Gujarat government, unaware that border protocols had been amended to make it significantly more valuable. However, the Adani Group, having been informed of the relaxed regulations, expressed interest in acquiring the land just weeks before SECI’s surrender.
By August 2023, the Gujarat government, under BJP Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, reassigned 255 sq km of land to the Adani Group. This, combined with an earlier lease of 190 sq km, brought the company’s total landholding in Khavda to 445 sq km—an area larger than Paris. The project is expected to generate 30GW of renewable energy, making it central to India’s green energy transition. Among its anticipated clients is Google.
The Adani Group has refuted allegations of preferential treatment, asserting that its land allocation followed due process and regulatory compliance. In a statement, the conglomerate maintained that its credentials and past performance in India’s renewable sector justified its selection.
However, opposition leaders have accused the Modi government of crony capitalism, alleging that it has repeatedly favored Adani, particularly in Gujarat. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition, accused Modi of shielding Adani from scrutiny and claimed that the billionaire had undue influence over India’s economic and political landscape. The controversy deepened in November 2023 when U.S. authorities indicted Adani and his executives for allegedly orchestrating a $265 million bribery scheme to secure lucrative solar energy contracts in India. The indictment, which linked several corrupt deals to the Khavda plant, led to financial setbacks for Adani. The Andhra Pradesh government is now reconsidering a 7GW power purchase agreement with Adani, while French energy giant TotalEnergies has suspended further investment in the conglomerate.
The political fallout extended to India’s Parliament, where opposition leaders demanded answers regarding the land acquisition process, the relaxation of border protocols, and allegations of corruption. Despite repeated calls for an inquiry, the Modi government has remained silent on the matter, fueling suspicions of high-level collusion.
The controversy surrounding the Khavda energy park underscores the broader debate over the intersection of corporate interests, political influence, and national security. While India’s push for renewable energy is essential for its economic and environmental goals, the decision to override long-standing defense protocols in favor of a private conglomerate raises fundamental questions about governance and accountability. As military experts continue to voice concerns over the strategic implications, and opposition leaders intensify their criticism, the Khavda project remains a focal point of India’s evolving political and economic landscape.
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