Rafale deal: Law Ministry has observations, being addressed, says Parrikar

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 3

Even as the Ministry of Defence has agreed to the pricing of the 36 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation France, the Ministry of Law and Justice has made certain observations that are being incorporated in under-negotiation Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and France.

The price as accepted by India is expected to be 7.89 Billion Euros or Rs 60,000 crore and that has been largely agreed upon.

 Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed the Rajya Sabha in written reply on Tuesday: “Ministry of Law & Justice have made certain observations and the same will be adequately taken into account while finalizing the IGA, which is still under negotiations”.

An Indian negotiating team has been constituted to negotiate the terms and conditions of the procurement of 36 Rafale jets and recommend a draft agreement. The meetings of the Indian negotiations team with the French side are underway, Parrikar’s reply said.

As per the India-France Joint statement issued by the two countries during the Prime Minister’s visit to France in April last year, Government of India conveyed to the Government of France that in view of the critical operational necessity to have more fighter jets for the IAF.

Both the sides have agreed to conclude an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for supply of the aircraft.