Indian govt wanted Anil Ambani as Rafale partner, says ex- French President Hollande
Paris/New Delhi, Sept 21 ( IBNS): In a major development, ex- French President Francois Hollande has said that the Indian government had asked the French government to nominate Indian industrialist Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Industries as its partner in the Rafale deal.
Hollande was quoted as saying by French website Mediapart.
Reacting to the development, the Defence Ministry of India said the claim is being verified.
"The report referring to fmr French president Mr. Hollande's statement that GOI insisted upon a particular firm as offset partner for the Dassault Aviation in Rafale is being verified.
The report referring to fmr French president Mr. Hollande's statement that GOI insisted upon a particular firm as offset partner for the Dassault Aviation in Rafale is being verified.
— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) September 21, 2018
It is reiterated that neither GoI nor French Govt had any say in the commercial decision.
It is reiterated that neither GoI nor French Govt had any say in the commercial decision," read a tweeted issued by Principal Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
The Congress party has claimed that the central government caused a loss of over Rs. 41000 to the exchequer in connection with the Rafale deal.
The party accused the Centre of endangering the national security by bypassing the HAL in favour of some businessman "friends" for offset contract in the controversial Rafale deal.
The Rafale deal has taken the centre stage of Indian politics of late with the Congress demanding the release of the price at which 36 fighter jets were bought by the Indian government from France.
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