Governments Had No Say in Rafale ‘Commercial Decision’: Defence Ministry

New Delhi: Amid media reports of former French President Francois Hollande claiming that the Indian government suggested a particular private firm for Rafale offset contract, the Defence Ministry on Friday reiterated that neither government had any say in the “commercial decision”. “The report referring to former French president Mr. 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 Defence Ministry said in a tweet. “It is reiterated that neither government of India nor French government had any say in the commercial decision,” it said. Hollande has been quoted by an article in French website “Mediapart” as claiming that the Indian government had asked the French government to nominate Reliance Defence as its India partner in the Rafale jet offset deal. “We did not have a say in this,” Hollande was quoted by the website as saying. (IANS)