The Hindu’s article about the Prime Minister’s Office’s “parallel negotiations” for the Rafale deal has kicked up quite a storm, even by modern standards. Rahul Gandhi and Nirmala Sitharaman have traded blows, while N Ram stands solidly behind his expose. Letters from French prime ministers are being hurriedly pulled out to justify aspects of the deal, and we’ve learned that the article doesn’t include Manohar Parrikar’s response to the claims of undermining.
In the midst of all the confusion, we finally heard from someone who should have been able to clarify things and definitively end the debate: Air Marshal SBP Sinha, leader of the Indian Negotiating Team (INT). The INT was the team of seven officials tasked with negotiating the commercial aspects of the Rafale deal, including the benchmark price and the general terms and conditions.
Speaking to ANI, Air Marshal Sinha said the note had nothing to do with the Indian Negotiating Team, and questioned the motives of Deputy Secretary (Air II) SK Sharma, who had written the note.