TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ The Indian government proposed Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence as Dassault Aviation’s partner in multi-billion dollar Rafale jet deal and France did not have a choice, former French president Francois Hollande was quoted as saying by a French publication, a sensational twist that gave fresh ammunition to the Opposition against the Modi dispensation.
Reacting to Hollande’s reported remark that is at variance with the Indian government’s position, a defence ministry spokesman said, “The report referring to former French president Hollande’s statement that government of India insisted upon a particular firm as offset partner for the Dassault Aviation in Rafale is being verified.
“The spokesperson also said, “It is reiterated that neither the government nor the French government had any say in the commercial decision.”The report in Mediapart, a French language publication, quoted Hollande as saying, “It was the Indian government that proposed this service group, and Dassault who negotiated with Ambani. We had no choice, we took the interlocutor who was given to us.” Asked who selected Reliance as a partner and why, Hollande replied, “We had no say in this regard.”
