Rafale controversy an ‘Indian issue’, says French diplomat

“For us, we believe the controversy over Rafale is an Indian issue. We have done all the process. We have gone through all the processes. And we know India has very specific need of such aircraft,” Barbry told PTI in Panaji.

While claiming that Indian would require more such aircraft, she said, “France will soon deliver the first lot of aircraft in a few months. Let India use them, they will see what an amazing technology it is and then the Indian government will be free to decide what they want to do.”

The Rafale deal is at the centre of an acrimonious debate between the BJP-led Union government and the Congress, with the latter claiming kickbacks in the deal and accusing the Narendra Modi-led regime of buying the aircraft at a high price.

The diplomat further said that the commitment and importance of the relationship between India and France was irrespective of which party was in power in either of the countries.

“The beauty of Indo-French relationship is that we have had strategic dialogues and partnership since 1998 and the relationship goes on to defence cooperation and security intelligence and is beyond political shifts,” Barbry said.

“In France, we had a right wing government in 1998 and then it shifted to a left wing government, but there was no change (in Indo-French relations). In India it was the Congress and then the NDA but we have seen no change in the commitment and importance given to the relationship,” she said.

Barbry said that France worked “very well” with the NDA, adding, “But we are also confident that these defence interests are very crucial for India and also France. We are confident that whatever the government will be (after the ongoing Lok Sabha polls), these relationships are going to stay because this goes beyond political interests.”

Rafale issue has also echoed in the parliament sessions before elections. The issue has snowballed into a political controversy now with the Congress party promising a proper inquiry into the case if it comes to power.

However, the Supreme Court has given the Modi government time till May 4 to file its response in the case. The apex court had earlier rejected the Centre’s plea seeking four weeks to file a reply to petitions seeking review of the SC’s December 14, 2018 order upholding the Rafale aircraft deal.

-With PTI inputs