Modi’s Deal Better: Serving IAF Officer, Incharge Of Rafale Negotiations Under UPA, Checkmates Congress

Air Marshal Shyam Bihari Prasad Sinha of the Indian Air Force (IAF), who had led the negotiations with Dassault Aviation for the procurement of 126 Rafale fighter jets during the tenure of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, has released a 10-point defence of the deal signed by the Narendra Modi government in 2016, Livefist has said in a report.

In a presentation earlier today, the officer, who now heads the IAF’s Central Command, has listed multiple reasons why the government to government deal reached with France in 2016 was cleaner, better and more economical than the one being negotiated by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government.

In the presentation, the blog says, the IAF used terms like “better price terms”, “better overall delivery terms and timeline" and “longer industrial support commitment”, clearly pointing that the Modi government got India a better deal than the one that the UPA was negotiating.

IAF’s presentation comes at a time when Congress president Rahul Gandhi is accusing the Modi government of corruption and favouring Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence over public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The IAF has also commented on Congress’ accusation of HAL being sidelined to favour Ambani. It has said that ‘irresolvable differences’ between HAL and Rafale maker Dassault Aviation stalled the deal being negotiated under the UPA.