After a french website named Mediapart quoted former French president Francois Hollande saying that the Indian government had asked the French government to nominate Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Industries as its India partner in the Rafale jet deal, the French government has said that Dassault Aviation had selected Reliance Defence as Indian partner to fulfil offset obligations of Rafale deal.

In a statement, the French government said, it was not involved in any manner in the choice of Indian partner for the Rafale fighter deal. The statement said, the French companies had the full freedom to select Indian firms for the contract.

The French government said, the inter-governmental agreement, signed with India for supplying 36 Rafale fighter jets, concerns its obligations solely with regard to ensuring the delivery and quality of the aircraft.

Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale has also said that it was the company that decided to partner with Reliance Defence. Dassault said, Anil Ambani-led company was selected as India partner in accordance with the policy of Make in India.

The company said, the partnership led to the creation of a joint venture – Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd in February 2017.

(Featured Image: NDTV)