French President Emmanuel Macron says ‘Was not in charge when Rafale deal was signed’

Incumbent French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday appeared to have avoided the controversial Rafale deal saying, he was not in charge when the Rafale fighter jets deal was signed between France and India.
While briefing media on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Emmanuel Macron was asked, whether Indian government had proposed to the French government or Rafale’s aircraft manufacturer Dassault, to choose Indian billionaire Anil Ambani as the India partner, as former president Francois Hollande claimed.
Responding to this question Mr Emmanuel said, “I was not in charge at that time but I know that we have very clear rules and this is a government-to-government discussion and this contract is part of a broader framework which is a military and defence coalition between India and France.”
“I just want to refer to what Prime Minister Modi said a few days ago,” he added, without elaborating further.
Since, Hollande claimed that India had not given France a choice to select Dassault to offset partner in 2016 and proposed Anil Ambani, the Rafale deal has been a talk of the town. While, the French government and manufacturer Dassault have reportedly denied the charges. The French government on Sunday said it feared to damage its relationship with India after Hollande’s claim. Who left the office in 2017.
According to NDTV report, The Anil Ambani-led group is manufacturing aerospace components as part of the offset component of the Rafale deal. The clause requires Rafale manufacturer Dassault to ensure that business worth around Rs 30,000 crores is generated for the Indian defence system. Reliance Defence is reportedly not making components for the Rafale ordered by India but is building assemblies for Dassault business jets.
French President Mr Macron was elected the president of France in May last year. The Rafale jet deal was announced by PM Narendra Modi in 2016 when Francois Hollande was the French president.

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