India [fr]
Statement by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Paris, 20 July 2018
Q - The President of the Indian National Congress, Mr Rahul Gandhi, stated this morning before the Indian Parliament "I met the President of France. I asked him about the secrecy clause and he denied that any such clause exists in the agreement. He told me so and I don’t have any objection if you tell this to everyone in the country ; the gentleman clearly said there is no secret pact between the French government and the Indian government. So the defence minister has clearly spoken an untruth." What is your reaction?
A - We have noted the statement of Mr Rahul Gandhi before the Indian Parliament. France and India concluded in 2008 a Security agreement, which legally binds the two States to protect the classified information provided by the partner, that could impact security and operational capabilities of the defence equipment of India or France. These provisions naturally apply to the IGA concluded on 23 September 2016 on the acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft and their weapons. As the President of the French Republic indicated publicly in an interview given to India Today on 9th March 2018, « In India and in France, when a deal is very sensitive, we can’t reveal all details ».