Not involved in the choice of Indian partners for Rafale deal: French government

In a statement issued on Friday, the French government said they only played the role to ensure the delivery and quality of the aircraft.

"The intergovernmental agreement signed on 23rd September 2016 between the French and Indian governments for supplying India with 36 Rafale aircraft concerns the obligations of the French government solely with regard to ensuring the delivery and quality of this equipment," said the statement.

"The French government is in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners who have been, are being, or will be selected by French companies. In accordance with India’s acquisition procedure, French companies have the full freedom to choose the Indian partner companies that they consider to be the most relevant, then present for the Indian government’s approval the offsets projects that they wish to execute in India with these local partners so as to fulfil their obligations in this regard," it said.

It said: "As it happens, agreements have already been signed by French companies with many Indian firms, both public and private, under the framework of Indian laws."

Hollande drops a bombshell:

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. It is reiterated that neither GoI nor French Govt had any say in the commercial decision," read a tweet issued by the Principal Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Rahul Gandhi attacks Narendra Modi:

Congress President Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre over the issue and said the Prime Minister has 'betrayed' the nation.

"The PM personally negotiated & changed the #Rafale deal behind closed doors. Thanks to François Hollande, we now know he personally delivered a deal worth billions of dollars to a bankrupt Anil Ambani. The PM has betrayed India. He has dishonoured the blood of our soldiers," Gandhi tweeted.

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.