Lobbying is not bribery, they are very separate: Ambassador Nancy Powell

Lobbying expenses also include money spent on salaries, research and to make brochures that are given to policymakers, Powell added.

Asked if the $25 million shown by Walmart as lobbying expenses had not been spent in India, she said: "That is my understanding. I will defer to Walmart on the particulars of the case, but the requirement is what is spent in the US, it is done to make sure that. I think Walmart had something like 80 items, they were using the US $25 million for nine general categories...FDI in India was one of the 80 issues they would have approached the US government officials, policymakers on. This is not a disclosure on India."

Powell said there was a separate investigation about Walmart and its links to some bribery allegations. "Again, Walmart has itself identified that they might have issues in some countries, including India, and they are conducting their own investigation, our Department of Justice and the SEC will also take a look at it," she said.

"We have a very tough law, dates to 1970s, when bribes were paid to officials and foreign countries. We take this very seriously...it makes tough to compete with a number of people, but we think that it's good business, good for our customers, when they receive a bid, they know this is an actual bid, does not involve any payoffs, they will get the contracted goods and services without an extra bribe," the ambassador said.

ALSO READ

Double murder: Victims' daughter sexually abused, say Goa cops

Mount Everest conquered by West Bengal's Chanda Gayen

Pawan Kumar Bansal's nephew-linked case: Bail plea of bribery accused axed

Man held for indecent acts and obscene dance near nursing college hostel