Modi's Multi-Billion Dollar Warplane Deal Faces Fresh Scrutiny

  • Former French leader Hollande’s claims back India’s opposition
  • India involved Reliance in billion-dollar deal: Hollande

Narendra Modi

Photographer: Paul Miller/Bloomberg
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India’s prime minister is facing allegations his administration acted improperly on a multi-billion dollar warplane contract with France, keeping alive a controversial issue that could dent the ruling party’s reputation as it heads to elections next year.

Francois Hollande was president when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France and signed an $8.7 billion deal for Dassault Aviation Rafale aircraft in 2016. He told French news site Mediapart.fr that his government was told to partner with a specific Indian firm, Reliance Group, for additional “offset” investments.