CHENNAI, Nov 18: Defence Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman today said all the guidelines were followed and the deal for purchase of French Rafale fighter jets was finalised in a transparent manner.
Asked about the controversy over the deal as alleged by the Opposition Congress, Ms Nirmala, talking to reporters on the sidelines of an inter-active session organised by the CII here, said the talks for purchase of Rafale fighter jets began in 2000.
But the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, which was in power for ten years, did not take any concrete decisions after holding negotiations between their 2004-2013 tenure.
She said it was only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who assumed office in 2014, took the bold decision after thorough discussions to sign the deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets.
She said all the guidelines were followed and the deal was finalised following a transparent procedure.
”The present NDA Government is free from corruption and the Congress is trying its best to pinpoint at something,” she added. (UNI)
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