Defence Ministry counters ex-French President Hollande's claim on Rafale

French govt says not involved in choice of Indian partner; Dassault claims it took the call

The government on Saturday rebutted former French president Francois Hollande’s explosive allegation that New Delhi had nominated Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group as the industrial partner in the purchase of 36 Rafale fighters from France.

“The government has stated earlier and again reiterates that it had no role in the selection of Reliance Defence as the offset partner,” said a statement from the ministry of defence (MoD).

The rebuttal came even as the opposition Congress intensified its attack on the Narendra Modi government, citing Hollande’s claim. 

The MoD statement starts by implying that Hollande was motivated by a “conflict of interest”