Rafale deal: French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to hold talks with Manohar Parrikar tomorrow

NEW DELHI: Perturbed over the delay in sealing the over $10-billion contract for 126 Rafale fighter jets, France is rushing its Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to India on Monday night for negotiations with his counterpart Manohar Parrikar on one of the world’s biggest defence deals in recent times. The development comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Paris in April which is aimed at boosting strategic and defence partnership.

Drian’s visit comes two months after his previous visit to Delhi that was also aimed at sealing the much-delayed contract which is necessary to plug shortages of fighter jets in the Indian Air Force (IAF). French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is also believed to have discussed the issue, among other bilateral matters, during his trip to Delhi earlier this month.

IAF chief Arup Raha has stressed on the need to have a medium multi-role combat aircraft, which is why India shortlisted Rafale.

While French officials told ET that their government is cautiously optimistic about the deal, eyebrows were raised when Parrikar told a media gathering last month that India could opt for more Sukhois from Russia if the deal with Rafale does not come through. The final call will be taken by Prime Minister’s office, officials said.

An expert pointed out that France has been India’s close strategic partner, which has stood by the country during difficult times including Pokhran-II nuclear tests. “It has also been supporting India at various international fora. Besides, it has been an old defence supplier from the 1960s and provided Mirage fighter jets during the 1980s,” said the expert, requesting not to be identified.

Modi is scheduled to visit France, along with Germany, Canada and, perhaps, Belgium in mid-April.

Incidentally, Rafale was displayed at the Aero India show at Bengaluru that concluded on Sunday. It was among the mainstays of this year’s flying and static display at the show, for which three Rafale jets were sent by France, perhaps with an eye on sealing the contract.

Parrikar had recently said that he would not comment on the Rafale deal as the Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC) was discussing it.

However, the minister has asked the CNC to hasten the process, which could be concluded after March.