New Delhi/IBNS: Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of covering up billionaire Gautam Adani's alleged corruption after the Indian premier claimed such "personal matters" were not discussed in his meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Modi, who was on the US tour, was asked by a journalist about whether he discussed the issue with President Trump in the White House.

In response, Modi said, "First of all, India is a democratic country and as per our tradition and culture, we consider the entire world as our family. I consider every Indian as my own."

"Secondly, the premiers of two countries never meet and talk for all these personal matters," the Prime Minister added.

Trump made no remark on the question.

Hitting out at his arch-rival Modi, Rahul posted on X, "If you ask questions in the country, there is silence. If you ask abroad, it is a personal matter! Even in America, Modi Ji covered up Adani Ji's corruption!

"When filling a friend's pocket is “nation building” for Modiji, then taking bribes and looting the nation's wealth becomes a 'personal matter'."

In November last year when Trump was not yet in his office, billionaire and Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani was charged with bribery and fraud in the United States.

Adani, who is one of the richest people in the world, was charged with a multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme.

The billionaire and other executives of the conglomerate including his nephew Sagar Adani have been charged with agreeing to pay $265 million to Indian officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars for his renewable energy company.

It has also been alleged that on several occasions, Adani met Indian officials personally to hold discussions on the alleged bribery scheme.

The Adani Group has denied the charges and said, "The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied."

"As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, "the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty." All possible legal recourse will be sought."

"The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations.

"We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," the statement reads.