"You cannot always win".
This is the message Finmeccanica chief Giuseppe Orsi sent along with a bottle of champagne to his rivals American Sikorsky in a five star hotel in New Delhi, a day ahead of the award of the Rs 3,600 core in February 2010, according to report of the Italian investigators.
Sikorsky and Italian Finmeccanica were the two companies shortlisted for the Indian contract of 12 helicopters to ferry VVIPs which ultimately was bagged by Finmeccanica.
"Orsi, found himself at a restaurant in New Delhi where (by accident) a delegation of American Sikorsky was also present... Orsi sent a bottle of champagne with a note that says "you cannot always win" to the American table," said the report by the investigators probing the alleged scam.
After the incident, the head of the American delegation left the room annoyed by the rude behaviour of the Italian CEO.
The incident was confirmed to