The Supreme Court on Wednesday held Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani guilty of contempt of court.

The contempt finding came&nbsp;on a plea filed by Ericcson India which has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-issues-notice-to-anil-ambanis-rcom-over-contempt-petition-by-ericsson-188738">accused Ambani of not clearing dues of Rs 550 crore</a>.&nbsp;Two Reliance directors were also held guilty of contempt.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, a bench comprising Justices RF Nariman and Vineet Saran said Ambani and the two directors would have to pay Rs 435 crore to Ericcson within four weeks. The court added that if they failed to do so, a three-month jail term would follow.&nbsp;

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The Supreme Court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on all three of them, saying again that if they did not pay up — a one-month jail term would be imposed on them.&nbsp;

The two directors were Reliance Telecom chairman Satish Seth and Reliance Infratel chairperson Chhaya Virani.&nbsp;

Ambani had in January this year offered to pay Rs 118 crore to Ericsson but the Swedish company's lawyers turned the offer down. The Supreme Court then told Ambani to deposit the money in the court's registry.&nbsp;

On&nbsp;Wednesday, the&nbsp;court directed that Rs 118 crore already deposited by Reliance Group in the apex court's registry be disbursed to Ericsson within a week.

"From undertakings given by Reliance Group's top brass, it appears they have wilfully not paid the amount to Ericsson despite orders and undertakings given," the court said.&nbsp;

The court specified that any unconditional apology given by Reliance needs to be rejected as they have breached the undertaking and order.&nbsp;

The bench said the three Reliance companies did not adhere to the 120-day deadline and the extra 60 days given by the apex court to pay Rs 550 crore to Ericsson.

It said the undertakings given in the court was false to the knowledge of the court and affected the administration of justice.&nbsp;

Ambani, Seth and Virani were present in the courtroom.

(With inputs from PTI)

The Supreme Court on Wednesday held Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani guilty of contempt of court. The contempt finding came on a plea filed by Ericcson India which has accused Ambani of not clearing dues of Rs 550 crore.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday held Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani guilty of contempt of court. The contempt finding came on a plea filed by Ericcson India which has accused Ambani of not clearing dues of Rs 550 crore. Two Reliance directors were also held guilty of contempt. On Wednesday, a bench comprising Justices RF Nariman and Vineet Saran said Ambani and the two directors would have to pay Rs 435 crore to Ericcson within four weeks. The court added that if they failed to do so, a three-month jail term would follow. Visuals from Supreme Court, Delhi: Supreme Court holds Reliance Communication Chairman Anil Ambani and two directors guilty of contempt of court on a contempt plea filed by Ericsson India against him over not clearing its dues of Rs 550 crore. pic.twitter.com/bDS5VoHGRx — ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2019 × The Supreme Court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on all three of them, saying again that if they did not pay up — a one-month jail term would be imposed on them. The two directors were Reliance Telecom chairman Satish Seth and Reliance Infratel chairperson Chhaya Virani. Ambani had in January this year offered to pay Rs 118 crore to Ericsson but the Swedish company's lawyers turned the offer down. The Supreme Court then told Ambani to deposit the money in the court's registry. On Wednesday, the court directed that Rs 118 crore already deposited by Reliance Group in the apex court's registry be disbursed to Ericsson within a week. "From undertakings given by Reliance Group's top brass, it appears they have wilfully not paid the amount to Ericsson despite orders and undertakings given," the court said. The court specified that any unconditional apology given by Reliance needs to be rejected as they have breached the undertaking and order. The bench said the three Reliance companies did not adhere to the 120-day deadline and the extra 60 days given by the apex court to pay Rs 550 crore to Ericsson. It said the undertakings given in the court was false to the knowledge of the court and affected the administration of justice. Ambani, Seth and Virani were present in the courtroom. (With inputs from PTI)

Supreme Court holds Anil Ambani guilty of contempt, tells him to pay up or go to jail

The BJP Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of working as a "lobbyist" for foreign firms and asserted that the e-mail he cited to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to some chopper deal and not the purchase of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-to-table-cag-report-on-rafale-deal-in-parliament-tuesday-196795">Rafale fighter jet</a> as the Congress president claimed.

After Gandhi accused Modi of "treason" claiming that businessman Anil Ambani was aware in advance of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-deal-modi-government-followed-upas-policy-on-inter-governmental-agreements-196598">Rafale deal India </a>and France had signed in 2015, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed his charges as "height of shamelessness and irresponsibility" and dubbed him a "lying machine".

The Union minister also put Airbus, whose internal e-mail was cited by the Congress president, in a dock, saying the European aircraft manufacturer is under a needle of suspicion in deals finalised during the previous Congress-led government.

The firm is also linked to a corporate lobbyist, who was recently deported from the UAE and is being probed on money laundering charges, he alleged.

"Let Rahul Gandhi explain where did he get an internal e-mail of Airbus.&nbsp;

Who is supplying him? ...There cannot be a bigger thing than this that he is working as a lobbyist for foreign firms," Prasad said.

He also took strong exception to the Congress leader charging Modi with "treason", saying his party had serious differences with former prime ministers coming from the Gandhi family over several "murky" defence deals signed during their term but it never accused them of treason.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) has thrown muck at his own face by abusing our honest prime minister... We will expose his lies before the public," he said. 
Gandhi has repeatedly levelled allegations against the government over baseless claims, he said.

Earlier Tuesday, Gandhi accused Modi of acting as a "middleman" of Anil Ambani in the Rafale jet deal, as he cited the e-mail to claim the businessman was aware of the MoU before India and France signed it. 
In a scathing counter-attack targeting the Gandhi family, the BJP leader alleged that its members "looted" the country and that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are on bail in a case of "land grab", a reference to the National Herald case.

When they were in power, they made money by "brokering" deals and have now become a lobbyist for foreign firms for making money, Prasad added.

Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra is facing probe and he has the temerity to question our honest prime minister, he said.

"This is the height of shamelessness and irresponsibility. He called the prime minister traitor. What else we can expect from this lying machine," he said.

To Gandhi's dismissal of the CAG report on the Rafale deal as "Chowkidar auditor general" report, the BJP leader said the Congress has a tendency to target institutions when their stand does not suit them. 
&nbsp;

The BJP Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of working as a "lobbyist" for foreign firms and asserted that the e-mail he cited to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to some chopper deal and not the purchase of Rafale fighter jet as the Congress president claimed.

The BJP Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of working as a "lobbyist" for foreign firms and asserted that the e-mail he cited to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to some chopper deal and not the purchase of Rafale fighter jet as the Congress president claimed. After Gandhi accused Modi of "treason" claiming that businessman Anil Ambani was aware in advance of the Rafale deal India and France had signed in 2015, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed his charges as "height of shamelessness and irresponsibility" and dubbed him a "lying machine". The Union minister also put Airbus, whose internal e-mail was cited by the Congress president, in a dock, saying the European aircraft manufacturer is under a needle of suspicion in deals finalised during the previous Congress-led government. The firm is also linked to a corporate lobbyist, who was recently deported from the UAE and is being probed on money laundering charges, he alleged. "Let Rahul Gandhi explain where did he get an internal e-mail of Airbus. Who is supplying him? ...There cannot be a bigger thing than this that he is working as a lobbyist for foreign firms," Prasad said. He also took strong exception to the Congress leader charging Modi with "treason", saying his party had serious differences with former prime ministers coming from the Gandhi family over several "murky" defence deals signed during their term but it never accused them of treason. "He (Rahul Gandhi) has thrown muck at his own face by abusing our honest prime minister... We will expose his lies before the public," he said. Gandhi has repeatedly levelled allegations against the government over baseless claims, he said. Earlier Tuesday, Gandhi accused Modi of acting as a "middleman" of Anil Ambani in the Rafale jet deal, as he cited the e-mail to claim the businessman was aware of the MoU before India and France signed it. In a scathing counter-attack targeting the Gandhi family, the BJP leader alleged that its members "looted" the country and that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are on bail in a case of "land grab", a reference to the National Herald case. When they were in power, they made money by "brokering" deals and have now become a lobbyist for foreign firms for making money, Prasad added. Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra is facing probe and he has the temerity to question our honest prime minister, he said. "This is the height of shamelessness and irresponsibility. He called the prime minister traitor. What else we can expect from this lying machine," he said. To Gandhi's dismissal of the CAG report on the Rafale deal as "Chowkidar auditor general" report, the BJP leader said the Congress has a tendency to target institutions when their stand does not suit them.

BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of acting as a defence lobbyist

The Supreme Court adjourned for Wednesday&nbsp;the hearing on a contempt notice issued to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/rcom-to-go-for-insolvency-resolution-process-after-failure-to-repay-debt-194466">Reliance Communication Ltd (RCom)</a> Chairman Anil Dhirubhai Ambani and others on a plea filed by Ericsson India for allegedly not clearing its dues of Rs 550 crore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-issues-notice-to-anil-ambanis-rcom-over-contempt-petition-by-ericsson-188738">Ambani</a>, Reliance Telecom Ltd Chairman Satish Seth and Reliance Infratel Ltd Chairperson Chhaya Virani appeared before a bench of Justices R F Nariman and Vineet Saran in pursuance to the contempt notice issued against them.&nbsp;

The bench said it will continue hearing the contempt plea on Wedbesday due to paucity of time and assembling of a special bench in the post-lunch session.

During the brief hearing, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Ericsson India, said there was gross violation of apex court's two earlier orders and they (RCom) have not paid any outstanding dues.

The bench asked the three alleged contemnors to remain present in court tomorrow.

The Supreme Court adjourned for Wednesday the hearing on a contempt notice issued to Reliance Communication Ltd (RCom) Chairman Anil Dhirubhai Ambani and others on a plea filed by Ericsson India for allegedly not clearing its dues of Rs 550 crore.

The Supreme Court adjourned for Wednesday the hearing on a contempt notice issued to Reliance Communication Ltd (RCom) Chairman Anil Dhirubhai Ambani and others on a plea filed by Ericsson India for allegedly not clearing its dues of Rs 550 crore. Ambani, Reliance Telecom Ltd Chairman Satish Seth and Reliance Infratel Ltd Chairperson Chhaya Virani appeared before a bench of Justices R F Nariman and Vineet Saran in pursuance to the contempt notice issued against them. The bench said it will continue hearing the contempt plea on Wedbesday due to paucity of time and assembling of a special bench in the post-lunch session. During the brief hearing, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Ericsson India, said there was gross violation of apex court's two earlier orders and they (RCom) have not paid any outstanding dues. The bench asked the three alleged contemnors to remain present in court tomorrow.

Supreme Court adjourns till Wednsesday hearing of contempt notice to Anil Ambani

Reliance Communications has decided to opt for insolvency proceedings following its failure to sell assets for paying back its lenders, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-issues-notice-to-anil-ambanis-rcom-over-contempt-petition-by-ericsson-188738">Anil Ambani-led telecom firm</a> said Friday.&nbsp;

RCom even failed to sell spectrum to Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio, a deal that was expected to bring some relief to the cash-strapped company.&nbsp;

"RCom board of directors decides upon implementation of debt resolution plans through NCLT framework," the company said in a statement.

Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson had filed the first petition before National Company Law Tribunal to invoke insolvency proceedings against RCom. The NCLT on the request of RCom had granted it time to clear dues to avoid insolvency proceedings.

It is estimated that RCom has been reeling under debt of over Rs 46,000 crore.

The board of directors of RCom Friday reviewed the progress of the company's debt resolution plans since the invocation of strategic debt resolution on June 2, 2017.&nbsp;

The Board noted that despite the passage of over 18 months, lenders have received zero proceeds from the proposed asset monetisation plans, and the overall debt resolution process is yet to make any headway, the statement said.&nbsp;

"Accordingly, the Board decided that the Company will seek fast track resolution through NCLT, Mumbai. The Board believes this course of action will be in the best interests of all stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive debt resolution in a final, transparent and time bound manner within the prescribed 270 days," the statement said.

The company had chalked out plans to sell assets for about Rs 25,000 crore and use it for clearing debt of around 40 lenders.&nbsp;

RCom was expecting to realise Rs 975 crore from sale of spectrum to Jio which it promised to use paying dues of Rs 550 crore to Ericsson and Rs 230 crore to settle dues of minority stakeholder Reliance Infratel.

Reliance Jio, however, declined to take over any past liability of RCom for which the Department of Telecom may raise demand in future.

Reliance Communications has decided to opt for insolvency proceedings following its failure to sell assets for paying back its lenders, the Anil Ambani-led telecom firm said Friday.

Reliance Communications has decided to opt for insolvency proceedings following its failure to sell assets for paying back its lenders, the Anil Ambani-led telecom firm said Friday. RCom even failed to sell spectrum to Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio, a deal that was expected to bring some relief to the cash-strapped company. "RCom board of directors decides upon implementation of debt resolution plans through NCLT framework," the company said in a statement. Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson had filed the first petition before National Company Law Tribunal to invoke insolvency proceedings against RCom. The NCLT on the request of RCom had granted it time to clear dues to avoid insolvency proceedings. It is estimated that RCom has been reeling under debt of over Rs 46,000 crore. The board of directors of RCom Friday reviewed the progress of the company's debt resolution plans since the invocation of strategic debt resolution on June 2, 2017. The Board noted that despite the passage of over 18 months, lenders have received zero proceeds from the proposed asset monetisation plans, and the overall debt resolution process is yet to make any headway, the statement said. "Accordingly, the Board decided that the Company will seek fast track resolution through NCLT, Mumbai. The Board believes this course of action will be in the best interests of all stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive debt resolution in a final, transparent and time bound manner within the prescribed 270 days," the statement said. The company had chalked out plans to sell assets for about Rs 25,000 crore and use it for clearing debt of around 40 lenders. RCom was expecting to realise Rs 975 crore from sale of spectrum to Jio which it promised to use paying dues of Rs 550 crore to Ericsson and Rs 230 crore to settle dues of minority stakeholder Reliance Infratel. Reliance Jio, however, declined to take over any past liability of RCom for which the Department of Telecom may raise demand in future.

RCom to go for insolvency resolution process after failure to repay debt

The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued a notice to Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani and others on a contempt petition filed by Ericsson.&nbsp;

According to reports, the contempt petition has been filed because of non-payment of dues.&nbsp;

A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman sought a response from Ambani and others in four weeks. It is reported that Ericsson India Pvt Ltd has moved a contempt plea against Anil Ambani's RCom for allegedly not complying with the top court's order to clear dues of Rs 550 crore.&nbsp;

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SC issues notice seeking a reply within 4 weeks from Reliance Communication Ltd. (RCom),Anil Ambani on a contempt plea filed by Ericsson India Pvt Ltd, for allegedly not complying with SC's order to clear dues of Rs 550 crore. RCom offers to deposit Rs 118 crore with SC registry
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Appearing for R Com, senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi asked the court to accept Rs 118 crore towards outstanding dues to Ericsson India to establish its bonafide, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

The counsel appearing for Ericsson, however, refused to accept the amount and said the entire outstanding sum of Rs 550 crore should be deposited.&nbsp;

The bench then directed R Com to deposit a demand draft of Rs 118 crore in the registry.&nbsp;

On Sunday, telecom company Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom) said it remained "fully committed" to settle dues with Swedish telecom gearmaker Ericsson from the proceeds of its sale of wireless assets to Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

"RCom has taken all required steps towards enabling the settlement and remains fully committed to making the payment to Ericsson from the proceeds of the spectrum sale," it said in a clarification filed to the exchanges on Sunday.

The transaction was key to the debt-laden telecom operator's restructuring plan, announced in May 2018, which entailed the sale of telecom assets such as towers and airwaves to Jio.

The plan to sell the assets had followed a settlement with telecom gearmaker Ericsson for partial payment of dues owed by RCom to the Swedish company.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued a notice to Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani and others on a contempt petition filed by Ericsson. According to reports, the contempt petition has been filed because of non-payment of dues.

The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued a notice to Reliance Communications chairman Anil Ambani and others on a contempt petition filed by Ericsson. According to reports, the contempt petition has been filed because of non-payment of dues. A bench headed by Justice R F Nariman sought a response from Ambani and others in four weeks. It is reported that Ericsson India Pvt Ltd has moved a contempt plea against Anil Ambani's RCom for allegedly not complying with the top court's order to clear dues of Rs 550 crore. SC issues notice seeking a reply within 4 weeks from Reliance Communication Ltd. (RCom),Anil Ambani on a contempt plea filed by Ericsson India Pvt Ltd, for allegedly not complying with SC's order to clear dues of Rs 550 crore. RCom offers to deposit Rs 118 crore with SC registry — ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2019 × Appearing for R Com, senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi asked the court to accept Rs 118 crore towards outstanding dues to Ericsson India to establish its bonafide, news agency PTI reported. The counsel appearing for Ericsson, however, refused to accept the amount and said the entire outstanding sum of Rs 550 crore should be deposited. The bench then directed R Com to deposit a demand draft of Rs 118 crore in the registry. On Sunday, telecom company Reliance Communications Ltd (RCom) said it remained "fully committed" to settle dues with Swedish telecom gearmaker Ericsson from the proceeds of its sale of wireless assets to Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, news agency Reuters reported. "RCom has taken all required steps towards enabling the settlement and remains fully committed to making the payment to Ericsson from the proceeds of the spectrum sale," it said in a clarification filed to the exchanges on Sunday. The transaction was key to the debt-laden telecom operator's restructuring plan, announced in May 2018, which entailed the sale of telecom assets such as towers and airwaves to Jio. The plan to sell the assets had followed a settlement with telecom gearmaker Ericsson for partial payment of dues owed by RCom to the Swedish company. (With inputs from agencies)

Supreme Court issues notice to Anil Ambani's RCom over non-payment of dues

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2019-lok-sabha-polls-will-be-janta-versus-gathbandhan-pm-modi-187752">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Tuesday said that the Congress is trying to throw muck on him even though the party has nothing to prove him wrong.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/loan-waivers-do-not-benefit-majority-of-farmers-pm-modi-187761">Prime Minister Modi</a> said that those levelling allegations on him are actually weakening the Indian security forces.&nbsp;

He added that in spite of allegations from the Congress in the Rafale deal, he will continue to expedite the procurement process in defence so that country`s security is not compromised.

"Those people who want to weaken the Army are levelling allegations. Should I worry that they are making personal attacks on me, or whether my country`s needs should be met? I decided that whatever abuses are hurled at me, whatever allegations are levelled against me, I will continue on the path of honesty and give primacy to the country`s security. I won`t leave my Army jawans merely to their fate. Whatever be their requirement, I will expedite the procurement processes. I will do it even if allegations are levelled me," Mr Modi said in response to allegations of corruption in the Rafale jet purchase deal.

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When asked why he was silent on the Congress accusation of crony capitalism and alleged favouring of Anil Ambani in the Rafale deal, Mr Modi replied, "This is not an allegation against me personally, but an allegation against my government. If there is any allegation against me personally, let them dig who gave what, when and where and to whom."

"In Parliament, I have spoken elaborately on this and whichever public forum I got, I spoke about this. The matter has been cleared even by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court scrutinised it threadbare. The French President has spoken. ..Media should have the courage to ask (the Congress) where is the evidence for these allegations? Don't throw muck and run away.... They (Congress) are not able to give any real evidence, just keep talking. Unko yeh bolne ki beemari hai toh mujhe kya baar baar ussi me ulajhna chahiye kya (If they have this problem of talking about it then should I too get entangled in it)," he added.

The Prime Minister said that there should be debate in the country on why controversies have been created over defence deals since Independence and on need for middlemen in defence purchases.

"Why controversies have been created over defence deals since Independence and our forces weakened. Who is doing it? What is the reason? Also, what is the need for middlemen in the defence deals? Can`t defence deal not be done without middlemen? Had Make in India been initiated 70 years back, the malai khane wala raasta from outside would have been closed. My crime is that I am trying to Make In India. My crime is that whatever our defence forces need, that should be made in India, so that dealings outside the country end. I am trying to get technology transfer," Prime Minister said.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister sought to dispel the Congress allegation that the purchase would harm his Make in India initiative.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Modi of favouring Anil Ambani's Reliance group in the Rafale deal by pushing Dassault Aviation to have a tie up with it through an offset clause, an allegation denied vehemently by both the Indian government and Dassault.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the Congress is trying to throw muck on him even though the party has nothing to prove him wrong. In an exclusive interview to ANI, Prime Minister Modi said that those levelling allegations on him are actually weakening the Indian security forces.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the Congress is trying to throw muck on him even though the party has nothing to prove him wrong. In an exclusive interview to ANI, Prime Minister Modi said that those levelling allegations on him are actually weakening the Indian security forces. He added that in spite of allegations from the Congress in the Rafale deal, he will continue to expedite the procurement process in defence so that country`s security is not compromised. "Those people who want to weaken the Army are levelling allegations. Should I worry that they are making personal attacks on me, or whether my country`s needs should be met? I decided that whatever abuses are hurled at me, whatever allegations are levelled against me, I will continue on the path of honesty and give primacy to the country`s security. I won`t leave my Army jawans merely to their fate. Whatever be their requirement, I will expedite the procurement processes. I will do it even if allegations are levelled me," Mr Modi said in response to allegations of corruption in the Rafale jet purchase deal. × When asked why he was silent on the Congress accusation of crony capitalism and alleged favouring of Anil Ambani in the Rafale deal, Mr Modi replied, "This is not an allegation against me personally, but an allegation against my government. If there is any allegation against me personally, let them dig who gave what, when and where and to whom." "In Parliament, I have spoken elaborately on this and whichever public forum I got, I spoke about this. The matter has been cleared even by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court scrutinised it threadbare. The French President has spoken. ..Media should have the courage to ask (the Congress) where is the evidence for these allegations? Don't throw muck and run away.... They (Congress) are not able to give any real evidence, just keep talking. Unko yeh bolne ki beemari hai toh mujhe kya baar baar ussi me ulajhna chahiye kya (If they have this problem of talking about it then should I too get entangled in it)," he added. The Prime Minister said that there should be debate in the country on why controversies have been created over defence deals since Independence and on need for middlemen in defence purchases. "Why controversies have been created over defence deals since Independence and our forces weakened. Who is doing it? What is the reason? Also, what is the need for middlemen in the defence deals? Can`t defence deal not be done without middlemen? Had Make in India been initiated 70 years back, the malai khane wala raasta from outside would have been closed. My crime is that I am trying to Make In India. My crime is that whatever our defence forces need, that should be made in India, so that dealings outside the country end. I am trying to get technology transfer," Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister sought to dispel the Congress allegation that the purchase would harm his Make in India initiative. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Modi of favouring Anil Ambani's Reliance group in the Rafale deal by pushing Dassault Aviation to have a tie up with it through an offset clause, an allegation denied vehemently by both the Indian government and Dassault.

Those accusing me in Rafale deal are weakening Indian security forces: PM Modi

Reliance chairman Anil Ambani on Friday welcomed Supreme Court's verdict of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-probe-needed-in-rafale-fighter-jet-deal-rules-supreme-court-183957">dismissing&nbsp;petitions seeking an investigation</a> into&nbsp;multi-million dollar Rafale fighter jet deal. He said that it "establishes the falsity of politically motivated allegations against&nbsp;him and his firm."

"I welcome the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court verdict&nbsp;summarily dismissing PILs filed on Rafale contracts, and conclusively establishing complete falsity of wild, baseless and politically motivated allegations levelled against Reliance Group and me personally,"&nbsp;Anil Ambani said in a statement.

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Anil Ambani statement: Welcome judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court today summarily dismissing PILs filed on Rafale contracts, and conclusively establishing complete falsity of wild, baseless and politically motivated allegations levelled against Reliance Group and me personally
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"Company committed to India's national security, including implementing offset deal with Dassault," Ambani added.

The Supreme Court today dismissed all petitions pertaining Rafale fighter jets deal saying that they are satisfied that "there is no occasion to doubt the process."

A three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph said that detailed scrutiny of the Rafale fighter jet deal was not required.

Dassault Aviation's CEO Eric Trappier in October said that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/reliance-has-10-per-cent-of-offset-in-rafael-deal-dassault-ceo-170983">joint venture with Reliance represents around 10 per cent of the offset investments</a> under the Rafale jet deal. After the report, it was alleged that Dassault was forced to choose Reliance by PM Modi, despite it having almost no experience in the aviation sector.

According to the report, Dassault negotiated for years with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the order, with the jets being jointly built in India.

But those talks were cancelled after PM Modi took office when he decided to purchase the jets directly from France.&nbsp;

The Friday's verdict on Rafale jet has been welcomed by BJP party.&nbsp;

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/matter-was-crystal-clear-from-the-beginning-rajnath-singh-on-rafale-jets-deal-verdict-183966">matter war crystal clear from the beginning</a>.&nbsp;

"The allegations levelled by Congress were baseless and to gain political mileage."

Meanwhile, one of the main petitioners, Prashant Bhushan has said that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-judgement-totally-wrong-says-petitioner-prashant-bhushan-on-rafale-verdict-183979">campaign certainly won't drop</a> and they may file a review petition.

"In our opinion, the Supreme Court judgement is totally wrong, the campaign will certainly not drop and we will decide if we will file a review petition."

Reliance chairman Anil Ambani on Friday welcomed Supreme Court's verdict of dismissing petitions seeking an investigation into multi-million dollar Rafale fighter jet deal.

Reliance chairman Anil Ambani on Friday welcomed Supreme Court's verdict of dismissing petitions seeking an investigation into multi-million dollar Rafale fighter jet deal. He said that it "establishes the falsity of politically motivated allegations against him and his firm." "I welcome the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court verdict summarily dismissing PILs filed on Rafale contracts, and conclusively establishing complete falsity of wild, baseless and politically motivated allegations levelled against Reliance Group and me personally," Anil Ambani said in a statement. Anil Ambani statement: Welcome judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court today summarily dismissing PILs filed on Rafale contracts, and conclusively establishing complete falsity of wild, baseless and politically motivated allegations levelled against Reliance Group and me personally — ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018 × "Company committed to India's national security, including implementing offset deal with Dassault," Ambani added. The Supreme Court today dismissed all petitions pertaining Rafale fighter jets deal saying that they are satisfied that "there is no occasion to doubt the process." A three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph said that detailed scrutiny of the Rafale fighter jet deal was not required. Dassault Aviation's CEO Eric Trappier in October said that the joint venture with Reliance represents around 10 per cent of the offset investments under the Rafale jet deal. After the report, it was alleged that Dassault was forced to choose Reliance by PM Modi, despite it having almost no experience in the aviation sector. According to the report, Dassault negotiated for years with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the order, with the jets being jointly built in India. But those talks were cancelled after PM Modi took office when he decided to purchase the jets directly from France. The Friday's verdict on Rafale jet has been welcomed by BJP party. Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the matter war crystal clear from the beginning. "The allegations levelled by Congress were baseless and to gain political mileage." Meanwhile, one of the main petitioners, Prashant Bhushan has said that the campaign certainly won't drop and they may file a review petition. "In our opinion, the Supreme Court judgement is totally wrong, the campaign will certainly not drop and we will decide if we will file a review petition."

Falsity of wild, baseless allegations against Reliance Group established: Anil Ambani on Rafale verdict

In a punitive action, the Navy has encashed a bank guarantee given by the Reliance Naval Engineering Ltd due to inordinate delay in supplying five offshore patrol vessel and said Monday the deal is being looked into.

"There is no preferential treatment being given to RNEL. Its bank guarantee has been encashed. Punitive action has been taken against it. The process is being taken forward," Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said at a press conference.

The Navy Chief was asked about the huge delay in delivery of the vessels by the company and whether Navy is under any pressure to not initiate any action against the company.

Admiral Lanba said the deal is not being cancelled at the moment but added that it is being looked into, indicating that government may take a call on the issue.

The Navy chief also said that the company is undergoing corporate debt restructuring.

There was no immediate reaction from RNEL about the Navy Chief's comments.

Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence has been at the centre of a controversy over the Rs 58,000-crore Rafale jet fighter deal. The Congress has accused the government of favouring the company.

The company, as well as the government, have rejected the charges.

The original contract worth Rs 3,000 crore for five offshore patrol vessels was won by Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering in 2011. The company was bought over by Anil Ambani group in 2016.

According to the original contract, the first vessel was to be delivered by early 2015. However, the deadline was pushed several times.

In a punitive action, the Navy has encashed a bank guarantee given by the Reliance Naval Engineering Ltd due to inordinate delay in supplying five offshore patrol vessel and said Monday the deal is being looked into.

In a punitive action, the Navy has encashed a bank guarantee given by the Reliance Naval Engineering Ltd due to inordinate delay in supplying five offshore patrol vessel and said Monday the deal is being looked into. "There is no preferential treatment being given to RNEL. Its bank guarantee has been encashed. Punitive action has been taken against it. The process is being taken forward," Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said at a press conference. The Navy Chief was asked about the huge delay in delivery of the vessels by the company and whether Navy is under any pressure to not initiate any action against the company. Admiral Lanba said the deal is not being cancelled at the moment but added that it is being looked into, indicating that government may take a call on the issue. The Navy chief also said that the company is undergoing corporate debt restructuring. There was no immediate reaction from RNEL about the Navy Chief's comments. Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence has been at the centre of a controversy over the Rs 58,000-crore Rafale jet fighter deal. The Congress has accused the government of favouring the company. The company, as well as the government, have rejected the charges. The original contract worth Rs 3,000 crore for five offshore patrol vessels was won by Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering in 2011. The company was bought over by Anil Ambani group in 2016. According to the original contract, the first vessel was to be delivered by early 2015. However, the deadline was pushed several times.

There is no preferential treatment being given to Anil Ambani's RNEL: Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba

Upping his ante against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with regards to the controversial Rafale fighter jets deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that even though Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-made aircraft were used effectively by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to drop bombs during the 1999 Kargil War, the government did not find it competent enough to be part of the Rafale deal.

"During the Kargil War, HAL aircraft dropped bombs on the Pakistan Army. HAL knows how to make aircraft. The talks were confirmed. HAL discussed with France`s Dassault to buy one aircraft for Rs 526 crore. After that, `Chowkidar` became the Prime Minister. Soon after that, Prime Minister Modi visited France along with Anil Ambani. What happens next is that the Rs 526 crore aircraft now gets sold for Rs 1,600 crore. HAL is sidelined and Anil Ambani is made the offset partner. Anil Ambani never made an aircraft. HAL has been making aircraft for the last 70 years," Rahul said while addressing a rally in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

The IAF had used MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, MiG-29, Jaguar and Mirage-2000 aircraft during the Kargil War. The aircraft were assembled by HAL under license production from the manufacturers.

Elaborating on the need for HAL to weigh in to manufacture aircraft, the Gandhi scion said: "The IAF came to UPA government and said that they want 126 fighter jets. The UPA government asked them to look around the world and buy the aircraft they find the best and buy them at the cheapest price. But we told them that the aircraft will be built in India as the youth want jobs and it will be made by HAL. Air Force people said that it`s totally correct."Rahul further said that the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was unaware of all this. "He stood up and said, `I didn`t do this job. I don`t know what happened.` Prime Minister himself changed the contract. The French media asked them what has happened. How come Rs 526 crore became Rs 1,600 crore? Who is this Anil Ambani? How come he got this contract? Our press is a bit hesitant (in asking such questions)," he added.

The Congress chief then went on to say that people of Madhya Pradesh have "made up their minds" to dethrone Shivraj Singh Chouhan`s government. "And in few months 56-inch chowkidar`s government will also be removed. A woman told one of our workers that just like a tava gets bad in 10 years, similarly, Shivraj Singh Chouhan`s government has become like that tava. Now we have to pick up the tava and throw it out. Every Chief Minister in a BJP ruled state is involved in scams, where public money is stolen," he said.

Citing the controversy involving Chouhan`s son Kartikey, he asked: "Shivraj Singh Chouhan immediately filed a defamation case against me when I mistakenly used his son`s name in Panama Papers. But why didn`t he file a defamation case when I took his name in the Vyapam scam, the dumper scandal, and e-tendering?"

The assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh will be held for 230 seats on November 28, and the result will be declared on December 11.&nbsp;

Upping his ante against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with regards to the controversial Rafale fighter jets deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that even though Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-made aircraft were used effectively by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to drop bombs during the 1999 Kargil War, the government did not find it competent enough to be part of the Rafale deal.

Upping his ante against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with regards to the controversial Rafale fighter jets deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that even though Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-made aircraft were used effectively by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to drop bombs during the 1999 Kargil War, the government did not find it competent enough to be part of the Rafale deal. "During the Kargil War, HAL aircraft dropped bombs on the Pakistan Army. HAL knows how to make aircraft. The talks were confirmed. HAL discussed with France`s Dassault to buy one aircraft for Rs 526 crore. After that, `Chowkidar` became the Prime Minister. Soon after that, Prime Minister Modi visited France along with Anil Ambani. What happens next is that the Rs 526 crore aircraft now gets sold for Rs 1,600 crore. HAL is sidelined and Anil Ambani is made the offset partner. Anil Ambani never made an aircraft. HAL has been making aircraft for the last 70 years," Rahul said while addressing a rally in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. The IAF had used MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, MiG-29, Jaguar and Mirage-2000 aircraft during the Kargil War. The aircraft were assembled by HAL under license production from the manufacturers. Elaborating on the need for HAL to weigh in to manufacture aircraft, the Gandhi scion said: "The IAF came to UPA government and said that they want 126 fighter jets. The UPA government asked them to look around the world and buy the aircraft they find the best and buy them at the cheapest price. But we told them that the aircraft will be built in India as the youth want jobs and it will be made by HAL. Air Force people said that it`s totally correct."Rahul further said that the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was unaware of all this. "He stood up and said, `I didn`t do this job. I don`t know what happened.` Prime Minister himself changed the contract. The French media asked them what has happened. How come Rs 526 crore became Rs 1,600 crore? Who is this Anil Ambani? How come he got this contract? Our press is a bit hesitant (in asking such questions)," he added. The Congress chief then went on to say that people of Madhya Pradesh have "made up their minds" to dethrone Shivraj Singh Chouhan`s government. "And in few months 56-inch chowkidar`s government will also be removed. A woman told one of our workers that just like a tava gets bad in 10 years, similarly, Shivraj Singh Chouhan`s government has become like that tava. Now we have to pick up the tava and throw it out. Every Chief Minister in a BJP ruled state is involved in scams, where public money is stolen," he said. Citing the controversy involving Chouhan`s son Kartikey, he asked: "Shivraj Singh Chouhan immediately filed a defamation case against me when I mistakenly used his son`s name in Panama Papers. But why didn`t he file a defamation case when I took his name in the Vyapam scam, the dumper scandal, and e-tendering?" The assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh will be held for 230 seats on November 28, and the result will be declared on December 11.

HAL-made planes dropped bombs in Kargil, yet govt sidelined it: Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday held an interaction with ex-servicemen where a number of issues, including the Centre's One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme and the Rafale deal were discussed.

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For Anil 
 
30,000 CR from Rafale + all procedures bypassed + midnight sacking of CBI director. 
 
For Forces 
 
No OROP + sound thrashing to veterans at Jantar Mantar + lies and broken promises. <a href="https://t.co/OthPwllHsZ">pic.twitter.com/OthPwllHsZ</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1056167225407819777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Briefing press after the interaction, Rahul attacked the central government for failing to implement the OROP as per expectations of ex-servicemen.

He further raked up the issue of Rafale deal and criticised the government for ignoring the welfare of former service personnel.

"During the discussion, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the wrong non-strategic approach of the government, the division that has been created there and the cost that is being paid by our soldiers came up. Rafale came up. These things are connected. The connection is that Anil Ambani can be given Rs 30,000 crore for doing nothing, but our soldiers can't be given OROP. This is the connection- Rs 30,000 crore is more than enough to solve the OROP problem,” said the Gandhi scion.

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The situation in J&amp;K,wrong non-strategic approach of govt, &amp; the cost that is being paid by our soldiers came up. Rafale came up. These things are connected. Connection is that Anil Ambani can be given Rs 30,000 cr for doing nothing, but our soldiers can't be given OROP: R Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/cgCoGkN2Cg">pic.twitter.com/cgCoGkN2Cg</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1056105049632526336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Continuing his analogy between OROP and India’s fighter jet deal with France, he said, “OROP can be implemented in Rs 8,300 crore, but instead, Rs 30,000 crore is being given to Anil Ambani without experience, without any background."

Gandhi further said that the way India's ex-servicemen are being treated is wrong and the government has to change its way of functioning.

During the hour-long interaction, the ex-servicemen submitted two memoranda to the Congress President for his review.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday held an interaction with ex-servicemen where a number of issues, including the Centre's One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme and the Rafale deal were discussed.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday held an interaction with ex-servicemen where a number of issues, including the Centre's One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme and the Rafale deal were discussed. For Anil 30,000 CR from Rafale + all procedures bypassed + midnight sacking of CBI director. For Forces No OROP + sound thrashing to veterans at Jantar Mantar + lies and broken promises. pic.twitter.com/OthPwllHsZ — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 27, 2018 × Briefing press after the interaction, Rahul attacked the central government for failing to implement the OROP as per expectations of ex-servicemen. He further raked up the issue of Rafale deal and criticised the government for ignoring the welfare of former service personnel. "During the discussion, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the wrong non-strategic approach of the government, the division that has been created there and the cost that is being paid by our soldiers came up. Rafale came up. These things are connected. The connection is that Anil Ambani can be given Rs 30,000 crore for doing nothing, but our soldiers can't be given OROP. This is the connection- Rs 30,000 crore is more than enough to solve the OROP problem,” said the Gandhi scion. The situation in J&K,wrong non-strategic approach of govt, & the cost that is being paid by our soldiers came up. Rafale came up. These things are connected. Connection is that Anil Ambani can be given Rs 30,000 cr for doing nothing, but our soldiers can't be given OROP: R Gandhi pic.twitter.com/cgCoGkN2Cg — ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2018 × Continuing his analogy between OROP and India’s fighter jet deal with France, he said, “OROP can be implemented in Rs 8,300 crore, but instead, Rs 30,000 crore is being given to Anil Ambani without experience, without any background." Gandhi further said that the way India's ex-servicemen are being treated is wrong and the government has to change its way of functioning. During the hour-long interaction, the ex-servicemen submitted two memoranda to the Congress President for his review.

Government can give Rs 30,000 crore to Ambani, can’t implement OROP: Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Sunday used a popular song from Bollywood blockbuster "Sholay" to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "proximity" to industrialist Anil Ambani.

Rahul Gandhi used the hit song, "Ye dosti hum nahin todenge", from the film, using the pictures of Modi and Ambani, whose company, according to the Congress chief, had received the offset contract worth Rs. 30,000 crore in the Rafale deal.

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<a href="https://t.co/oitcfRCAlE">pic.twitter.com/oitcfRCAlE</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1054001552648794112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The 17-second video uploaded by Mr Gandhi on Twitter only shows the smiling faces of Modi and Ambani with the song playing in the background.

Rahul Gandhi has been attacking the prime minister over alleged corruption and favouritism in the Rafale fighter jet deal with a French firm.

According to the Congress chief, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government has renegotiated the deal by leaving out the State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which was set to get the offset contract as per the deal negotiated by the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Sunday used a popular song from Bollywood blockbuster "Sholay" to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "proximity" to industrialist Anil Ambani.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Sunday used a popular song from Bollywood blockbuster "Sholay" to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "proximity" to industrialist Anil Ambani. Rahul Gandhi used the hit song, "Ye dosti hum nahin todenge", from the film, using the pictures of Modi and Ambani, whose company, according to the Congress chief, had received the offset contract worth Rs. 30,000 crore in the Rafale deal. pic.twitter.com/oitcfRCAlE — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 21, 2018 × The 17-second video uploaded by Mr Gandhi on Twitter only shows the smiling faces of Modi and Ambani with the song playing in the background. Rahul Gandhi has been attacking the prime minister over alleged corruption and favouritism in the Rafale fighter jet deal with a French firm. According to the Congress chief, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government has renegotiated the deal by leaving out the State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which was set to get the offset contract as per the deal negotiated by the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Rahul Gandhi's 'Sholay' jibe at PM Modi-Anil Ambani over Rafale

Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Ltd will get about 10% of the offset investments from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-deal-supreme-court-asks-govt-for-details-of-decision-making-process-170590">Rafale deal</a>, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier told AFP in an interview.&nbsp;

India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation.&nbsp;

Under India's defence acquisition laws, a foreign company making a large sale to India has to invest 30 of the money paid to it back in India. This is called an "offset".&nbsp;

"In full compliance with this regulation, Dassault Aviation therefore decided to set up the DRAL joint venture with Reliance and build a plant in Nagpur, which should enable us to meet about 10% of these offset obligations," Trappier told AFP.&nbsp;

"We're in talks with about 100 Indian firms, including around 30 with which we've already confirmed partnerships," Trappier added.&nbsp;

Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is currently in France, meanwhile reiterated that the NDA government had nothing to do with Dassault choosing Reliance as its Indian offset partner.&nbsp;

"We are very clear: With the government of France, we agreed to purchase 36 Rafale aircraft in flyaway condition," Sitharaman said.

"And in an intergovernmental agreement, there are no mentions of any individual firms," she said.

"It is more for the companies which have chosen A, B or C as their partners to answer questions if there are any," she said.&nbsp;

The opposition has accused the Narendra Modi-led government of corruption in the Rafale deal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

An original deal to buy 126 Rafale fighter planes from France's Dassault Aviation had been brokered by India's UPA government in 2012. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore up that deal in 2015, signing a new government-to-government deal with then French president Francois Hollande to buy only 36 of the planes.&nbsp;

The opposition — led by Congress president Rahul Gandhi — says the NDA government is paying three times as much as the UPA government had agreed to pay for every Rafale.&nbsp;

Gandhi has also accused the government of crony capitalism.&nbsp;

The original Indian partner in the Rafale deal was the public sector HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd). But HAL was turfed out of the new deal, in favour of Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence — now of course Trappier says Reliance is not the only partner.&nbsp;

Reliance Defence was only 12 days old when it made its way into the deal. It also has no experience in the defence and aerospace industries.&nbsp;

While the government continues to say it was Dassault which chose Reliance Defence and that they had nothing to do with it, Hollande recently said — he was on a trip to India at the time — recently&nbsp;said it was the Indian government which had said Reliance was to be brought into the deal in place of HAL.&nbsp;

The Congress meanwhile has also alleged that Sitharaman's trip to France is an attempt at a cover-up.&nbsp;

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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreatRafaleCoverUp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GreatRafaleCoverUp</a> has begun. To try and show the deal is legit, Raksha Mantri will need to generate minutes of imaginary meetings held between the French &amp; our MOD &amp; both sides will need to agree on a common story to be spun to the media. 
 
RM left for France last night.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1050311182593286145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from AFP)

Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Ltd will get about 10% of the offset investments from the Rafale deal, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier told AFP in an interview.

Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Ltd will get about 10% of the offset investments from the Rafale deal, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier told AFP in an interview. India is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation. Under India's defence acquisition laws, a foreign company making a large sale to India has to invest 30 of the money paid to it back in India. This is called an "offset". "In full compliance with this regulation, Dassault Aviation therefore decided to set up the DRAL joint venture with Reliance and build a plant in Nagpur, which should enable us to meet about 10% of these offset obligations," Trappier told AFP. "We're in talks with about 100 Indian firms, including around 30 with which we've already confirmed partnerships," Trappier added. Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is currently in France, meanwhile reiterated that the NDA government had nothing to do with Dassault choosing Reliance as its Indian offset partner. "We are very clear: With the government of France, we agreed to purchase 36 Rafale aircraft in flyaway condition," Sitharaman said. "And in an intergovernmental agreement, there are no mentions of any individual firms," she said. "It is more for the companies which have chosen A, B or C as their partners to answer questions if there are any," she said. The opposition has accused the Narendra Modi-led government of corruption in the Rafale deal. An original deal to buy 126 Rafale fighter planes from France's Dassault Aviation had been brokered by India's UPA government in 2012. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore up that deal in 2015, signing a new government-to-government deal with then French president Francois Hollande to buy only 36 of the planes. The opposition — led by Congress president Rahul Gandhi — says the NDA government is paying three times as much as the UPA government had agreed to pay for every Rafale. Gandhi has also accused the government of crony capitalism. The original Indian partner in the Rafale deal was the public sector HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd). But HAL was turfed out of the new deal, in favour of Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence — now of course Trappier says Reliance is not the only partner. Reliance Defence was only 12 days old when it made its way into the deal. It also has no experience in the defence and aerospace industries. While the government continues to say it was Dassault which chose Reliance Defence and that they had nothing to do with it, Hollande recently said — he was on a trip to India at the time — recently said it was the Indian government which had said Reliance was to be brought into the deal in place of HAL. The Congress meanwhile has also alleged that Sitharaman's trip to France is an attempt at a cover-up. The #GreatRafaleCoverUp has begun. To try and show the deal is legit, Raksha Mantri will need to generate minutes of imaginary meetings held between the French & our MOD & both sides will need to agree on a common story to be spun to the media. RM left for France last night. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 11, 2018 × (With inputs from AFP)

Reliance Defence not Dassault's only Indian partner in Rafale deal: CEO Eric Trappier

A French media report on Wednesday claimed that an internal report of French aerospace major Dassault Aviation was presented with no option but to tie-up&nbsp;with Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as offset partner.

The report further said that it was 'imperative and mandatory' for&nbsp;Dassault Aviation&nbsp;to bag the Rafale jets contract.

The claim was&nbsp;made by French publication ‘Mediapart’ in an investigative report.&nbsp;

Two years after signing the contract of sale of Rafale to India, the ultra-modern plant planned by the joint - venture of Dassault with its Indian partner Reliance comes down to a building that looks like a warehouse. While a new complaint was filed in New Delhi, a document obtained by Mediapart shows that Dassault considered this alliance as a "counterpart", "imperative and mandatory", to get the market," said Mediapart in its report.

Last month, former French President Francois Hollande was quoted by 'Mediapart' as saying that France was given "no choice" on the selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance to partner with the French aerospace giant. The former French president's comments triggered a massive political row.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after talks with Hollande on April 10, &nbsp;2015 &nbsp;in Paris. The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016.

Sitharaman's visit to France comes in the backdrop of a huge controversy over the procurement of 36 Rafale jets.

The Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal, saying the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government when it was negotiating the deal.

The Congress has also been targeting the government over the selection of Anil Ambani firm as an offset partner for Dassault.

The government has vehemently rejected the allegations and asserted that it did not have any role in the selection of Reliance Defence.

(With inputs from DNA)

A French media report on Wednesday claimed that an internal report of French aerospace major Dassault Aviation was presented with no option but to tie-up with Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as offset partner.

A French media report on Wednesday claimed that an internal report of French aerospace major Dassault Aviation was presented with no option but to tie-up with Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as offset partner. The report further said that it was 'imperative and mandatory' for Dassault Aviation to bag the Rafale jets contract. The claim was made by French publication ‘Mediapart’ in an investigative report. Two years after signing the contract of sale of Rafale to India, the ultra-modern plant planned by the joint - venture of Dassault with its Indian partner Reliance comes down to a building that looks like a warehouse. While a new complaint was filed in New Delhi, a document obtained by Mediapart shows that Dassault considered this alliance as a "counterpart", "imperative and mandatory", to get the market," said Mediapart in its report. Last month, former French President Francois Hollande was quoted by 'Mediapart' as saying that France was given "no choice" on the selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance to partner with the French aerospace giant. The former French president's comments triggered a massive political row. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015 in Paris. The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016. Sitharaman's visit to France comes in the backdrop of a huge controversy over the procurement of 36 Rafale jets. The Congress has been alleging massive irregularities in the deal, saying the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the UPA government when it was negotiating the deal. The Congress has also been targeting the government over the selection of Anil Ambani firm as an offset partner for Dassault. The government has vehemently rejected the allegations and asserted that it did not have any role in the selection of Reliance Defence. (With inputs from DNA)

Dassault was told signing Reliance Defence was 'imperative and mandatory' to bag Rafale deal: Report 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi took another potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi (and Anil Ambani) in Rajasthan's Dholpur on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"Modiji took out Rs 45,000 crore from pockets of farmers and poor and gave to Anil Ambani," Gandhi said.&nbsp;

"I asked him in Parliament why did he give the contract to him? I looked him in the eye but he looked here and there. Nation saw that he couldn't look youth of India in the eye," Gandhi added.&nbsp;

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Modi ji took out Rs 45,000 Cr from pockets of farmers&amp;poor &amp; gave to Anil Ambani. I asked him in Parliament why did he give the contract to him? I looked him in the eye but he looked here&amp;there. Nation saw that he couldn't look youth of India in the eye: Rahul Gandhi in Rajasthan <a href="https://t.co/kt7051Plxw">pic.twitter.com/kt7051Plxw</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1049559901826150400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rahul was addressing a campaign rally. Rajasthan will go to the polls on December 7. The results will be out four days later on December 11.&nbsp;

He also said he wanted the ubiquitiuos words "Made in China" replaced by "Made in Dholpur", "Made in Jaipur", or "Made in Rajasthan".&nbsp;

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I want that when someone takes a selfie in China, he would see the words 'Made in Dholpur' written at the back of the phone &amp; wonder where it is. Then we bring him to Rajasthan as a tourist, put his money in your pocket &amp; send him back by flight: Rahul Gandhi in Dholpur,Rajasthan <a href="https://t.co/3mRLrpim6C">pic.twitter.com/3mRLrpim6C</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1049564393158189056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"You are taking a selfie, if you turn the phone you will find 'Made in China' written on it. I want 'Made in Dholpur', 'Made in Rajasthan', 'Made in Jaipur' written on it," Gandhi said.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi took another potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi (and Anil Ambani) in Rajasthan's Dholpur on Tuesday. "Modiji took out Rs 45,000 crore from pockets of farmers and poor and gave to Anil Ambani," Gandhi said.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi took another potshot at Prime Minister Narendra Modi (and Anil Ambani) in Rajasthan's Dholpur on Tuesday. "Modiji took out Rs 45,000 crore from pockets of farmers and poor and gave to Anil Ambani," Gandhi said. "I asked him in Parliament why did he give the contract to him? I looked him in the eye but he looked here and there. Nation saw that he couldn't look youth of India in the eye," Gandhi added. Modi ji took out Rs 45,000 Cr from pockets of farmers&poor & gave to Anil Ambani. I asked him in Parliament why did he give the contract to him? I looked him in the eye but he looked here&there. Nation saw that he couldn't look youth of India in the eye: Rahul Gandhi in Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/kt7051Plxw — ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 × Rahul was addressing a campaign rally. Rajasthan will go to the polls on December 7. The results will be out four days later on December 11. He also said he wanted the ubiquitiuos words "Made in China" replaced by "Made in Dholpur", "Made in Jaipur", or "Made in Rajasthan". I want that when someone takes a selfie in China, he would see the words 'Made in Dholpur' written at the back of the phone & wonder where it is. Then we bring him to Rajasthan as a tourist, put his money in your pocket & send him back by flight: Rahul Gandhi in Dholpur,Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/3mRLrpim6C — ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2018 × "You are taking a selfie, if you turn the phone you will find 'Made in China' written on it. I want 'Made in Dholpur', 'Made in Rajasthan', 'Made in Jaipur' written on it," Gandhi said.

Nation saw Modi couldn't look youth of India in the eye: Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi took <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-anil-ambani-jointly-carried-out-surgical-strike-defence-forces-rahul-gandhi">another potshot at Anil Ambani</a> on Saturday.&nbsp;

"When your BFF is the PM, you can get the 1,30,000 Cr. Rafale deal, even without relevant experience. But wait. There’s more!" Gandhi tweeted. &nbsp;

"Apparently, 400,000 JK Govt staff will also be arm twisted into buying health insurance ONLY from your company!" he added.&nbsp;

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When your BFF is the PM, you can get the 1,30,000 Cr. Rafale deal, even without relevant experience. But wait. There’s more! 
 
Apparently, 400,000 JK Govt staff will also be arm twisted into buying health insurance ONLY from your company! <a href="https://t.co/DlEOqWA2NH">https://t.co/DlEOqWA2NH</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1048440756946579456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Gandhi was referring to recent news reports saying Jammu and Kashmir government employees have been made to buy insurance from Reliance.&nbsp;

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Modi- Reliance nexus: 
 
If you want an insight into how Modi is invested to prop up Reliance, look no further than J&amp;K where all Govt employees are being forced to buy Reliance insurance policy but not Govt's LIC wd out bidding. Premium collection wd be 8000 crore per Annum! <a href="https://t.co/CX1QbhY1BK">pic.twitter.com/CX1QbhY1BK</a>
— Salman Nizami (@SalmanNizami_) <a href="https://twitter.com/SalmanNizami_/status/1044967638818906113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The reference to the BFF was to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

Gandhi has been relentlessly attacking the Modi-led NDA government and Anil Ambani over the Rafale deal. Gandhi says the NDA government is paying three times as much as the UPA government had agreed to pay for the Rafale planes it is buying from France's Dassault Aviation.&nbsp;

He has also attacked Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence, which was chosen as Dassault's India partner. The original deal brokered by the UPA government had had the public-sector HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) as the India partner.&nbsp;

Reliance Defence has no experience in the defence or aerospace industry.&nbsp;

Gandhi says Reliance being made the India partner is an example of crony capitalism.&nbsp;

Congress President Rahul Gandhi took another potshot at Anil Ambani on Saturday. "When your BFF is the PM, you can get the 1,30,000 Cr. Rafale deal, even without relevant experience.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi took another potshot at Anil Ambani on Saturday. "When your BFF is the PM, you can get the 1,30,000 Cr. Rafale deal, even without relevant experience. But wait. There’s more!" Gandhi tweeted. "Apparently, 400,000 JK Govt staff will also be arm twisted into buying health insurance ONLY from your company!" he added. When your BFF is the PM, you can get the 1,30,000 Cr. Rafale deal, even without relevant experience. But wait. There’s more! Apparently, 400,000 JK Govt staff will also be arm twisted into buying health insurance ONLY from your company! https://t.co/DlEOqWA2NH — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 6, 2018 × Gandhi was referring to recent news reports saying Jammu and Kashmir government employees have been made to buy insurance from Reliance. Modi- Reliance nexus: If you want an insight into how Modi is invested to prop up Reliance, look no further than J&K where all Govt employees are being forced to buy Reliance insurance policy but not Govt's LIC wd out bidding. Premium collection wd be 8000 crore per Annum! pic.twitter.com/CX1QbhY1BK — Salman Nizami (@SalmanNizami_) September 26, 2018 × The reference to the BFF was to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi has been relentlessly attacking the Modi-led NDA government and Anil Ambani over the Rafale deal. Gandhi says the NDA government is paying three times as much as the UPA government had agreed to pay for the Rafale planes it is buying from France's Dassault Aviation. He has also attacked Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence, which was chosen as Dassault's India partner. The original deal brokered by the UPA government had had the public-sector HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) as the India partner. Reliance Defence has no experience in the defence or aerospace industry. Gandhi says Reliance being made the India partner is an example of crony capitalism.

Rahul Gandhi now says J&K govt employees being forced to buy Reliance insurance

Former minister of science and technology and senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy on Thursday said that no one from the current French authorities including President Emmanuel Macron has contradicted former France president Francois Hollande`s claim on the controversial Rafale jets deal.

"For the first time on Wednesday, current French President avoided the question on Rafale and said he was not in charge at the time. In other words, he did not contradict the former French President's words. This consistent non-contradiction from current French authorities is absolutely tantamount to confirmation of facts," Reddy said while addressing a press conference.

Calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence on the issue, Reddy said," You are no longer contradicting the president of the Congress party(Rahul Gandhi). You are no longer contradicting the opposition in India. There is no ploy left in Paris. Don`t confuse Pakistan with Paris. So, Mr Modi owes an explanation to the nation about the statement made by the former president of France on Anil Ambani`s company."

Reddy further said that in the last 70 years, he had never seen a head of state of a foreign major country make a statement that is contradictory to the one made by an Indian Prime Minister.

"Can anybody cite a single example of a former prime minister being contradicted by a former president of any major, responsible Western democracy? France is the only country that has stood beside India consistently. When we went nuclear, France is the only country which did not act in a hostile fashion. From De Gaulle to the present days, France has been a friendly country. So, if a president of France says something, the country has to sit up and take notice of it."

"The non-contraction by the current president of France is equivalent to an international revelation," Reddy further said.

Reddy claimed that "Prime Minister Modi is getting caught or sandwiched between international revelations and internal disclosures."

Earlier, Macron had said that he was not in power when the deal was signed between the two countries.&nbsp;

"It was a government to government discussion. I just want to refer to what Prime Minister Modi very clearly said a few days ago. I was not in charge at that time. I know that we have very clear rules," Macron said while addressing a presser on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

"The contract is a part of a broader framework between India and France, which is a military and defence coalition between the two countries. It`s very important to me and it`s a strategic coalition. I just want to refer what Prime Minister Modi said on the situation," Macron had added.

The deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets was signed in 2016 between Prime Minister Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the French government under then-President Francois Hollande.

The Congress party has been alleging irregularities in the high-profile Defence fighter jets contract, saying that the NDA government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

The controversy took a new twist last week after Hollande, with whom Prime Minister Modi had cleared the deal in 2016, claimed that the Indian government had proposed Reliance Defence`s name as the offset partner for Dassault Aviation.&nbsp;

Former minister of science and technology and senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy on Thursday said that no one from the current French authorities including President Emmanuel Macron has contradicted former France president Francois Hollande`s claim on the controversial Rafale jets deal.

Former minister of science and technology and senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy on Thursday said that no one from the current French authorities including President Emmanuel Macron has contradicted former France president Francois Hollande`s claim on the controversial Rafale jets deal. "For the first time on Wednesday, current French President avoided the question on Rafale and said he was not in charge at the time. In other words, he did not contradict the former French President's words. This consistent non-contradiction from current French authorities is absolutely tantamount to confirmation of facts," Reddy said while addressing a press conference. Calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence on the issue, Reddy said," You are no longer contradicting the president of the Congress party(Rahul Gandhi). You are no longer contradicting the opposition in India. There is no ploy left in Paris. Don`t confuse Pakistan with Paris. So, Mr Modi owes an explanation to the nation about the statement made by the former president of France on Anil Ambani`s company." Reddy further said that in the last 70 years, he had never seen a head of state of a foreign major country make a statement that is contradictory to the one made by an Indian Prime Minister. "Can anybody cite a single example of a former prime minister being contradicted by a former president of any major, responsible Western democracy? France is the only country that has stood beside India consistently. When we went nuclear, France is the only country which did not act in a hostile fashion. From De Gaulle to the present days, France has been a friendly country. So, if a president of France says something, the country has to sit up and take notice of it." "The non-contraction by the current president of France is equivalent to an international revelation," Reddy further said. Reddy claimed that "Prime Minister Modi is getting caught or sandwiched between international revelations and internal disclosures." Earlier, Macron had said that he was not in power when the deal was signed between the two countries. "It was a government to government discussion. I just want to refer to what Prime Minister Modi very clearly said a few days ago. I was not in charge at that time. I know that we have very clear rules," Macron said while addressing a presser on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. "The contract is a part of a broader framework between India and France, which is a military and defence coalition between the two countries. It`s very important to me and it`s a strategic coalition. I just want to refer what Prime Minister Modi said on the situation," Macron had added. The deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets was signed in 2016 between Prime Minister Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the French government under then-President Francois Hollande. The Congress party has been alleging irregularities in the high-profile Defence fighter jets contract, saying that the NDA government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The controversy took a new twist last week after Hollande, with whom Prime Minister Modi had cleared the deal in 2016, claimed that the Indian government had proposed Reliance Defence`s name as the offset partner for Dassault Aviation.

Macron didn't counter Hollande's statement on Rafale: Congress

Former French president Francois Hollande said that France did not choose to partner with Indian businessman Anil Ambani's company in "any way" and added that only Dassault can comment on the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Asked whether India had put pressure on Reliance and Dassault to work together, Hollande said he was unaware and "only Dassault can comment on this", French news agency AFP reported.

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FLASH: From Agency AFP, when asked whether India had put pressure on Reliance and Dassault to work together, Ex France President Hollande said he was unaware and "only Dassault can comment on this". <a href="https://t.co/YEb8eaD7Gw">pic.twitter.com/YEb8eaD7Gw</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1043485418249838592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Hollande was responding to a question by the French news agency on the sidelines of an event in Canada on Friday.

"That is why, moreover, this group (Reliance) did not have to give me any thanks for anything," the former French president added.

In an interview to a media house that appeared on Friday, Hollande had said that Dassault Aviation was given no choice but to partner with Anil&nbsp; 
Ambani-led Reliance Defence for the offset clause in the Rafale deal.

In an article published by French journal Mediapart, Hollande to a question about who selected Reliance as a partner and why, said it was the Indian government that proposed Reliance's name and Dassault had no choice but to take the company given to it.

"We did not have a say in that. The Indian government proposed this service group, and Dassault negotiated with Ambani. We did not have a choice, we took the interlocutor we were given," said Hollande. The interview was published in French and excerpts of Hollande's interview were tweeted by&nbsp; 
French newspaper LeMonde's journalist Julien Boissou.

His reported statement contradicts Indian government's claim that the agreement between Dassault and Reliance was a commercial pact between two private parties and the government had nothing to do with it.

Former French president Francois Hollande said that France did not choose to partner with Indian businessman Anil Ambani's company in "any way" and added that only Dassault can comment on the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Former French president Francois Hollande said that France did not choose to partner with Indian businessman Anil Ambani's company in "any way" and added that only Dassault can comment on the Rafale fighter jet deal. Asked whether India had put pressure on Reliance and Dassault to work together, Hollande said he was unaware and "only Dassault can comment on this", French news agency AFP reported. FLASH: From Agency AFP, when asked whether India had put pressure on Reliance and Dassault to work together, Ex France President Hollande said he was unaware and "only Dassault can comment on this". pic.twitter.com/YEb8eaD7Gw — ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2018 × Hollande was responding to a question by the French news agency on the sidelines of an event in Canada on Friday. "That is why, moreover, this group (Reliance) did not have to give me any thanks for anything," the former French president added. In an interview to a media house that appeared on Friday, Hollande had said that Dassault Aviation was given no choice but to partner with Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence for the offset clause in the Rafale deal. In an article published by French journal Mediapart, Hollande to a question about who selected Reliance as a partner and why, said it was the Indian government that proposed Reliance's name and Dassault had no choice but to take the company given to it. "We did not have a say in that. The Indian government proposed this service group, and Dassault negotiated with Ambani. We did not have a choice, we took the interlocutor we were given," said Hollande. The interview was published in French and excerpts of Hollande's interview were tweeted by French newspaper LeMonde's journalist Julien Boissou. His reported statement contradicts Indian government's claim that the agreement between Dassault and Reliance was a commercial pact between two private parties and the government had nothing to do with it.

France 'did not choose Reliance in any way': Hollande

They were at loggerheads once upon a time, but all seems to be well between brothers Mukesh and Anil Ambani. As Mukesh Ambani's daughter Isha got engaged to Anand Piramal, the industrialist threw a bash to celebrate at his residence Antilla.&nbsp 
 
Among Bollywood celebrities and cricketers, the attendees who stood out was Anil Ambani and his family. Anil came with his wife Tina and son Jai Anmol to celebrate Isha's engagement.&nbsp 
 
The once-estranged brothers, who seem to have rekindled their relationship the past year, greeted each other first with a formal handshake and then hugged each other. Their wives Nita and Tina were also seen warmly greeting each other.&nbsp 
 
The family then together posed for the media before heading inside.&nbsp

<img alt="anil mukesh1.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/anil%20mukesh1.jpg" width="770" /> 
<img alt="anil mukesh2.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/anil%20mukesh2.jpg" width="770" />

<img alt="anil mukesh 3_1.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/anil%20mukesh%203_1.jpg" width="770" />

<img alt="anil mukesh 4.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/anil%20mukesh%204.jpg" width="770" />

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-in-photos-mukesh-ambanis-daughter-isha-gets-engaged-to-anand-piramal-at-mumbais-iskcon-temple-135131">Isha Ambani is set to tie the knot with Anand </a>in December. Media reports suggest that Anil and Mukesh Ambani will come together for the wedding. 
 
The last time the Ambani brothers were seen together under one roof was during their sister Nina's daughter Nayantara's wedding in January 2013.&nbsp 
 
In December last year, Mukesh Ambani led RIL announced that it would be acquiring the wireless assets of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications for around Rs 23,000 crore.

Other celebrities who were spotted at Isha and Anand's engagement party were Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Amir Khan, Karan Johar and Ranbir Kapoor.

All seems to be well between brothers Mukesh and Anil Ambani

They were at loggerheads once upon a time, but all seems to be well between brothers Mukesh and Anil Ambani. As Mukesh Ambani's daughter Isha got engaged to Anand Piramal, the industrialist threw a bash to celebrate at his residence Antilla. Among Bollywood celebrities and cricketers, the attendees who stood out was Anil Ambani and his family. Anil came with his wife Tina and son Jai Anmol to celebrate Isha's engagement. The once-estranged brothers, who seem to have rekindled their relationship the past year, greeted each other first with a formal handshake and then hugged each other. Their wives Nita and Tina were also seen warmly greeting each other. The family then together posed for the media before heading inside. Isha Ambani is set to tie the knot with Anand in December. Media reports suggest that Anil and Mukesh Ambani will come together for the wedding. The last time the Ambani brothers were seen together under one roof was during their sister Nina's daughter Nayantara's wedding in January 2013. In December last year, Mukesh Ambani led RIL announced that it would be acquiring the wireless assets of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications for around Rs 23,000 crore. Other celebrities who were spotted at Isha and Anand's engagement party were Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Amir Khan, Karan Johar and Ranbir Kapoor.

Mukesh and Anil Ambani hug it out at Isha Ambani's engagement bash

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group on Wednesday said it has sent a Rs 1,000 crore defamation notice to Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam for making “false and baseless” allegations against the company. The company will also file a contempt petition against Nirupam in the Bombay High Court, it said.

Nirupam had on Tuesday alleged that the “takeover” of debt-ridden Mumbai power business of Reliance Infrastructure by Adani Transmission Ltd was a deal executed at the behest of the Prime Minister’s Office to “bail out” Anil Ambani.&nbsp

“Nirupam has made several false, frivolous and baseless allegations and defamatory statements in relation to the proposed sale of Reliance Infrastructure’s integrated Mumbai power business to Adani Transmission and linking it with the purchase of Rafale fighter aircraft by the government from France,” the company said in a statement here.

The Reliance wants Nirupam to immediately withdraw his allegations and apologise within 72 hours after the receipt of the notice, the statement said. The company also demanded that Nirupam “desist from making any such statements concerning the Reliance Group without first ascertaining the facts.”

RInfra had signed an agreement with Adani Transmission for 100 per cent sale of its Mumbai power business for a total consideration value of Rs 18,800 crore. With the execution of the deal, the company hopes to become debt-free and with up to Rs 3,000 crore cash surplus. “We fear that the liability of both the companies will be passed on to the 30 lakh power consumers in Mumbai suburbs, 10 lakh of whom are slum dwellers,” Nirupam had said yesterday while underlining the need for “transparency” in executing such mega deals.

When contacted on Wednesday, Nirupam said he was yet to receive any such notice. He, however, was unfazed, saying he would continue to raise such issues in future too to ensure that the people of the city are not subjected to hardships. “Does demanding transparency in the deal and seeking the proper investigation into it amount to defamation?. If this is defamation, so be it,” the Congress leader said Wednesday.

“Instead of threatening me with defamation, the company should address the issues raised by me and ensure 30 lakh electricity consumers in suburban Mumbai are not put to any hardships of power tariff hike,” he said. He added that he already has a Rs 100 crore defamation suit filed against him in Bombay High Court, which is still pending.

Nirupam had on Tuesday alleged that the "takeover" of debt-ridden Mumbai power business of Reliance Infrastructure by Adani Transmission Ltd was a deal executed at the behest of the Prime Minister's Office to "bail out" Anil Ambani.

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group on Wednesday said it has sent a Rs 1,000 crore defamation notice to Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam for making “false and baseless” allegations against the company. The company will also file a contempt petition against Nirupam in the Bombay High Court, it said. Nirupam had on Tuesday alleged that the “takeover” of debt-ridden Mumbai power business of Reliance Infrastructure by Adani Transmission Ltd was a deal executed at the behest of the Prime Minister’s Office to “bail out” Anil Ambani. “Nirupam has made several false, frivolous and baseless allegations and defamatory statements in relation to the proposed sale of Reliance Infrastructure’s integrated Mumbai power business to Adani Transmission and linking it with the purchase of Rafale fighter aircraft by the government from France,” the company said in a statement here. The Reliance wants Nirupam to immediately withdraw his allegations and apologise within 72 hours after the receipt of the notice, the statement said. The company also demanded that Nirupam “desist from making any such statements concerning the Reliance Group without first ascertaining the facts.” RInfra had signed an agreement with Adani Transmission for 100 per cent sale of its Mumbai power business for a total consideration value of Rs 18,800 crore. With the execution of the deal, the company hopes to become debt-free and with up to Rs 3,000 crore cash surplus. “We fear that the liability of both the companies will be passed on to the 30 lakh power consumers in Mumbai suburbs, 10 lakh of whom are slum dwellers,” Nirupam had said yesterday while underlining the need for “transparency” in executing such mega deals. When contacted on Wednesday, Nirupam said he was yet to receive any such notice. He, however, was unfazed, saying he would continue to raise such issues in future too to ensure that the people of the city are not subjected to hardships. “Does demanding transparency in the deal and seeking the proper investigation into it amount to defamation?. If this is defamation, so be it,” the Congress leader said Wednesday. “Instead of threatening me with defamation, the company should address the issues raised by me and ensure 30 lakh electricity consumers in suburban Mumbai are not put to any hardships of power tariff hike,” he said. He added that he already has a Rs 100 crore defamation suit filed against him in Bombay High Court, which is still pending.

Anil Ambani’s Reliance sends Rs 1,000 crore defamation notice to Congress’s Sanjay Nirupam

Reliance Communications is all set to construct a 68,000-km undersea cable to facilitate data supply across Europe and Asia.

The estimated cost of the project is somewhere around to $600 million.

RCom&#39;s subsidiary, Global Cloud Exchange, is vested with the responsibility of laying the cable which will connect India as its base to Italy on the West and Hong Kong to the East.

The system is expected to boost Global Cloud Exchange&#39;s revenue in five years and will be operational by the third quarter of 2020.

The project will also yield $1 billion per year as revenue, RCom&#39;s chief executive Bill Barney told reporters.

According to the official statement, the company aims to get over $700 million through pre-sales. The cable will be financed by as many as 30 partners.

Jack Ma&#39;s Alibaba has already struck a partnership for the cable and raised $300 million in commitments, Barney noted.

The company expects a spurt in IT and telecom activity in the country over the next five to ten years, due to which it is betting on the cable business, Barney shared.&nbsp;

The Anil Ambani-led company was reported to reel under debts worth Rs 45,000 crore.

The company exited the consumer-facing wireless business late last year to focus on the enterprise segment.

The Mukesh Ambani enterprise, Reliance Jio, brought Reliance Communications spectrum for an estimated Rs 23,000 crore last month.

The deal prevented a slew of insolvency petitions and eventual liquidation for the Anil Ambani corporation.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

The system is expected to boost Global Cloud Exchange's revenue in five years

Reliance Communications is all set to construct a 68,000-km undersea cable to facilitate data supply across Europe and Asia. The estimated cost of the project is somewhere around to $600 million. RCom's subsidiary, Global Cloud Exchange, is vested with the responsibility of laying the cable which will connect India as its base to Italy on the West and Hong Kong to the East. The system is expected to boost Global Cloud Exchange's revenue in five years and will be operational by the third quarter of 2020. The project will also yield $1 billion per year as revenue, RCom's chief executive Bill Barney told reporters. According to the official statement, the company aims to get over $700 million through pre-sales. The cable will be financed by as many as 30 partners. Jack Ma's Alibaba has already struck a partnership for the cable and raised $300 million in commitments, Barney noted. The company expects a spurt in IT and telecom activity in the country over the next five to ten years, due to which it is betting on the cable business, Barney shared. The Anil Ambani-led company was reported to reel under debts worth Rs 45,000 crore. The company exited the consumer-facing wireless business late last year to focus on the enterprise segment. The Mukesh Ambani enterprise, Reliance Jio, brought Reliance Communications spectrum for an estimated Rs 23,000 crore last month. The deal prevented a slew of insolvency petitions and eventual liquidation for the Anil Ambani corporation. (With inputs from PTI)

Reliance Communications to construct 68,000 km submarine cable

Debt-laden Reliance Communications has signed a deal to sell its wireless assets to Reliance Jio Infocomm, for a total value of nearly 240 billion rupees ($3.75 billion), two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.

The two companies had announced late on Thursday that Reliance Communications, backed by businessman Anil Ambani, would sell all its spectrum, tower, fibre optic and other telecom infrastructure assets to Jio, which is owned by Reliance Industries and is controlled by Anil Ambani&#39;s elder brother Mukesh Ambani, India&#39;s richest person. They did not give the value of the deal.

The sale, if finalised, would mark a big step in Reliance Communication&#39;s quest to cut down its debt, which had sent its shares to record lows and led creditors such as China Development Bank (CDB) to start insolvency proceedings over missed payments.

CDB said earlier on Friday it is in talks with Reliance Communications, or RCom as it is called.

RCom shares rose as much as 29.9 per cent on Friday while Reliance Industries rose as much as 0.9 per cent.

The sale would also mark the return of the telecom operations back into the fold of Reliance Industries, which forayed into telecoms in 2002, spearheaded by the elder Ambani, under the name of Reliance Infocomm Ltd.

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A feud between the two brothers in 2005 led to the split of Reliance Industries, with Mukesh Ambani keeping the cash cow oil and gas business and Anil Ambani walking away with telecoms and power.

But Mukesh Ambani has re-entered the telecoms space with the launch of Jio in September 2016, upending the sector with cut-price data and free voice service and pushing RCom into a debt spiral.

RCom has said it is retreating from the consumer telecom space to focus on its enterprise business, and on Tuesday announced a new plan to slash its debt pile by 390 billion rupees ($6.09 billion) without any haircut by the banks, leaving it with only around 60 billion rupees in debt.

Morgan Stanley analysts said the deal would allow Jio to further expand into India&#39;s telecom space, though it would also add to its debt.

&quot;Acquisition of RCom&#39;s telecom infrastructure should bring synergies and lower costs while raising clarity on growth capex. The deal could potentially raise balance sheet leverage by 10-12 per cent near term,&quot; Morgan Stanley wrote in a note on Friday.

Reliance Jio is India&#39;s fastest growing telecoms company with a subscriber base of close to 140 million. Through the deal, Jio gets access to four bands of spectrum and 43,000 telecom towers and a countrywide fibre optic network.

&nbsp;

The sale, if finalised, would mark a big step in Reliance Communication's quest to cut down its debt.

Debt-laden Reliance Communications has signed a deal to sell its wireless assets to Reliance Jio Infocomm, for a total value of nearly 240 billion rupees ($3.75 billion), two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday. The two companies had announced late on Thursday that Reliance Communications, backed by businessman Anil Ambani, would sell all its spectrum, tower, fibre optic and other telecom infrastructure assets to Jio, which is owned by Reliance Industries and is controlled by Anil Ambani's elder brother Mukesh Ambani, India's richest person. They did not give the value of the deal. The sale, if finalised, would mark a big step in Reliance Communication's quest to cut down its debt, which had sent its shares to record lows and led creditors such as China Development Bank (CDB) to start insolvency proceedings over missed payments. CDB said earlier on Friday it is in talks with Reliance Communications, or RCom as it is called. RCom shares rose as much as 29.9 per cent on Friday while Reliance Industries rose as much as 0.9 per cent. The sale would also mark the return of the telecom operations back into the fold of Reliance Industries, which forayed into telecoms in 2002, spearheaded by the elder Ambani, under the name of Reliance Infocomm Ltd. × A feud between the two brothers in 2005 led to the split of Reliance Industries, with Mukesh Ambani keeping the cash cow oil and gas business and Anil Ambani walking away with telecoms and power. But Mukesh Ambani has re-entered the telecoms space with the launch of Jio in September 2016, upending the sector with cut-price data and free voice service and pushing RCom into a debt spiral. RCom has said it is retreating from the consumer telecom space to focus on its enterprise business, and on Tuesday announced a new plan to slash its debt pile by 390 billion rupees ($6.09 billion) without any haircut by the banks, leaving it with only around 60 billion rupees in debt. Morgan Stanley analysts said the deal would allow Jio to further expand into India's telecom space, though it would also add to its debt. "Acquisition of RCom's telecom infrastructure should bring synergies and lower costs while raising clarity on growth capex. The deal could potentially raise balance sheet leverage by 10-12 per cent near term," Morgan Stanley wrote in a note on Friday. Reliance Jio is India's fastest growing telecoms company with a subscriber base of close to 140 million. Through the deal, Jio gets access to four bands of spectrum and 43,000 telecom towers and a countrywide fibre optic network.

Reliance Jio to buy RCom's wireless assets in $3.75 billion deal: Sources

Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL) is all set to acquire &#39;specified assets&#39; from Reliance Communications (RCOM) and its affiliates.

In an announcement made earlier today, RJIL -- a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited -- gave out information detailing the agreement.

According to the agreement, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio will acquire mobile business assets including spectrum, mobile towers and optical fibre network of Reliance Communications.

These assets will facilitate RJIL in the large-scale roll-out of wireless and fiber, the statement noted.

Anil Ambani&#39;s RCom is reeling under debt worth whopping 45,000 crore Rupees. The deal is expected to give RCom some relief.

Reliance Jio or its nominees will acquire assets under four categories - Towers, Optic Fiber Cable Network (&quot;OFC&quot;), Spectrum and Media Convergence Nodes (&quot;MCN&quot;) from RCOM and its affiliates.

Reliance Jio will acquire all the assets without any previous liabilities attached to them.

&quot;The acquisition is subject to receipt of requisite approvals from governmental and regulatory authorities, consents from all lenders, release of all encumbrances on the said assets and other conditions precedent. The consideration is payable at completion and is subject to adjustments as specified in the agreement,&quot; the statement said.

Reliance Jio said the process to acquire assets of RCom is supervised by an independent group of distinguished industry experts and it emerged as the successful bidder in the two-stage bidding process.

&quot;An asset monetisation process for RCOM assets was mandated by the lenders of RCOM, who appointed SBI Capital Markets Limited to run the process,&quot; the statement said.

The parties are bound by confidentiality obligations and will make further disclosures at the appropriate time.

(With inputs from agencies)

Anil Ambani's RCom is reeling under debt worth whopping 45,000 crore Rupees

Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL) is all set to acquire 'specified assets' from Reliance Communications (RCOM) and its affiliates. In an announcement made earlier today, RJIL -- a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited -- gave out information detailing the agreement. According to the agreement, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio will acquire mobile business assets including spectrum, mobile towers and optical fibre network of Reliance Communications. These assets will facilitate RJIL in the large-scale roll-out of wireless and fiber, the statement noted. Anil Ambani's RCom is reeling under debt worth whopping 45,000 crore Rupees. The deal is expected to give RCom some relief. Reliance Jio or its nominees will acquire assets under four categories - Towers, Optic Fiber Cable Network ("OFC"), Spectrum and Media Convergence Nodes ("MCN") from RCOM and its affiliates. Reliance Jio will acquire all the assets without any previous liabilities attached to them. "The acquisition is subject to receipt of requisite approvals from governmental and regulatory authorities, consents from all lenders, release of all encumbrances on the said assets and other conditions precedent. The consideration is payable at completion and is subject to adjustments as specified in the agreement," the statement said. Reliance Jio said the process to acquire assets of RCom is supervised by an independent group of distinguished industry experts and it emerged as the successful bidder in the two-stage bidding process. "An asset monetisation process for RCOM assets was mandated by the lenders of RCOM, who appointed SBI Capital Markets Limited to run the process," the statement said. The parties are bound by confidentiality obligations and will make further disclosures at the appropriate time. (With inputs from agencies)

Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio to acquire RCom's tower assets

India&#39;s Reliance Communications Ltd outlined on Tuesday a plan to cut its debt by 390 billion rupees ($6.09 billion) underpinned by the sale of assets for which some non-binding offers had already been made.

The plan, which sent the company&#39;s shares soaring, expands on one it announced in late October. Reliance Communications (RCom) said on Tuesday it would involve no write-offs to lenders or bondholders, nor conversion of debt to equity.

The firm will exit the &quot;strategic debt restructuring&quot; process that allows lenders to conduct takeovers by swapping loans for equity, Anil Ambani, the businessman backing the company, told a news conference on Tuesday.

Foreign lenders have supported the plan, and RCom has received non-binding offers for some of assets, through whose sales it hoped to raise about 250 billion rupees by March, he added.

The announcement sent the company&#39;s shares up to almost 40 percent, and marks its latest attempt to remove a big cloud hanging over what was once the flagship of Ambani&#39;s business empire but has been hit with concerns about its ability to repay its debt after failing to pay interest on some of it.

Rising competition in India&#39;s telecom sector, including the entry of start-up Jio - backed by Anil Ambani&#39;s brother Mukesh - has trimmed margins in India&#39;s telecom sector to wafer-thin levels.

Competing in it would require &quot;a pipeline into the Reserve Bank of India&#39;s printing press,&quot; Anil Ambani said at a news briefing in Mumbai.

&quot;It is a guzzler of currency... It has engulfed many, many people and many many companies.&quot;

RCom had net debt of 450 billion rupees at the end of October, according to a slide presented on Tuesday, putting it among India&rsquo;s most indebted companies.

As part of Tuesday&#39;s plan, RCom will shift 100 billion rupees of its debt into a special purpose vehicle that will develop the company&#39;s real estate assets in the suburbs of Mumbai.

RCom will also receive investments from private equity companies, helping further reduce debt, Ambani added, without providing details.

The asset sales would help RCom reduce its debt to below 60 billion rupees, he said, estimating the remaining enterprise-focused business&#39; value at 150 billion rupees.

RCom has previously tried and failed to cut its debt, including through merging with fellow telecoms operator Aircel and by selling a stake in the firm to Canada&#39;s Brookfield.

Its shares slid to record lows after it presented its last plan in October.

Lenders and business partners have taken it to court after it missed debt payments.

China Development Bank last month initiated insolvency proceedings, saying a large amount of principal and interest from RCom was overdue. The lender was not immediately available for comment outside of business hours.

Ambani did not say whether CDB had signed off on the new plan, but noted he had landed at 4 a.m. from Beijing without explaining the reason for his visit to China.

&nbsp;

India's Reliance Communications Ltd outlined a plan to cut its debt by 390 billion rupees ($6.09 billion)

India's Reliance Communications Ltd outlined on Tuesday a plan to cut its debt by 390 billion rupees ($6.09 billion) underpinned by the sale of assets for which some non-binding offers had already been made. The plan, which sent the company's shares soaring, expands on one it announced in late October. Reliance Communications (RCom) said on Tuesday it would involve no write-offs to lenders or bondholders, nor conversion of debt to equity. The firm will exit the "strategic debt restructuring" process that allows lenders to conduct takeovers by swapping loans for equity, Anil Ambani, the businessman backing the company, told a news conference on Tuesday. Foreign lenders have supported the plan, and RCom has received non-binding offers for some of assets, through whose sales it hoped to raise about 250 billion rupees by March, he added. The announcement sent the company's shares up to almost 40 percent, and marks its latest attempt to remove a big cloud hanging over what was once the flagship of Ambani's business empire but has been hit with concerns about its ability to repay its debt after failing to pay interest on some of it. Rising competition in India's telecom sector, including the entry of start-up Jio - backed by Anil Ambani's brother Mukesh - has trimmed margins in India's telecom sector to wafer-thin levels. Competing in it would require "a pipeline into the Reserve Bank of India's printing press," Anil Ambani said at a news briefing in Mumbai. "It is a guzzler of currency... It has engulfed many, many people and many many companies." RCom had net debt of 450 billion rupees at the end of October, according to a slide presented on Tuesday, putting it among India’s most indebted companies. As part of Tuesday's plan, RCom will shift 100 billion rupees of its debt into a special purpose vehicle that will develop the company's real estate assets in the suburbs of Mumbai. RCom will also receive investments from private equity companies, helping further reduce debt, Ambani added, without providing details. The asset sales would help RCom reduce its debt to below 60 billion rupees, he said, estimating the remaining enterprise-focused business' value at 150 billion rupees. RCom has previously tried and failed to cut its debt, including through merging with fellow telecoms operator Aircel and by selling a stake in the firm to Canada's Brookfield. Its shares slid to record lows after it presented its last plan in October. Lenders and business partners have taken it to court after it missed debt payments. China Development Bank last month initiated insolvency proceedings, saying a large amount of principal and interest from RCom was overdue. The lender was not immediately available for comment outside of business hours. Ambani did not say whether CDB had signed off on the new plan, but noted he had landed at 4 a.m. from Beijing without explaining the reason for his visit to China.

Anil Ambani's RCom outlines new debt reduction plan with no write-offs

Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today fired yet another salvo on Twitter.&nbsp;

Attacking Modi on the Rafale deal, the Congress leader told reporters that they have been asking so many questions and he responded but why have they failed to question the prime minister on who changed the Rafale deal to&nbsp;benefit of &quot;one&quot;&nbsp;businessman.

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You ask me so many questions &amp; I answer you properly, why don&#39;t you ask the PM about Rafale deal? He changed the whole deal for benefit of one businessman. Why don&#39;t you ask questions about Amit Shah&#39;s son? These are the questions I wanted to ask you: Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/p5S3nPMecR">pic.twitter.com/p5S3nPMecR</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931057231935676416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;You ask me so many questions &amp; I answer you properly, why don&#39;t you ask the PM about Rafale deal? He changed the whole deal for benefit of one businessman. Why don&#39;t you ask questions about Amit Shah&#39;s son? These are the questions I wanted to ask you,&#39;&#39; Rahul Gandhi said without mentioning Anil Ambani-owned Reliance.

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Can you explain &quot;Reliance&quot; on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal?
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/930995047436185600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Taking a jibe at Modi on Twitter, the Congress vice-president said Self &quot;Reliance&quot; is obviously a critical aspect of &quot;Make in India.&quot;

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Self &quot;Reliance&quot; is obviously a critical aspect of &quot;Make in India.&quot;
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/930995317801082882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Rahul took a dig at PM&nbsp;Modi asking: Can you explain &quot;Reliance&quot; on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal?

Continuing his witty jibe on Modi, he further asked on his Twitter handle: Can you explain "Reliance" on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal?

Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today fired yet another salvo on Twitter. Attacking Modi on the Rafale deal, the Congress leader told reporters that they have been asking so many questions and he responded but why have they failed to question the prime minister on who changed the Rafale deal to benefit of "one" businessman. You ask me so many questions & I answer you properly, why don't you ask the PM about Rafale deal? He changed the whole deal for benefit of one businessman. Why don't you ask questions about Amit Shah's son? These are the questions I wanted to ask you: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/p5S3nPMecR — ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2017 × "You ask me so many questions & I answer you properly, why don't you ask the PM about Rafale deal? He changed the whole deal for benefit of one businessman. Why don't you ask questions about Amit Shah's son? These are the questions I wanted to ask you,'' Rahul Gandhi said without mentioning Anil Ambani-owned Reliance. Can you explain "Reliance" on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal? — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 16, 2017 × Taking a jibe at Modi on Twitter, the Congress vice-president said Self "Reliance" is obviously a critical aspect of "Make in India." Self "Reliance" is obviously a critical aspect of "Make in India." — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 16, 2017 × Rahul took a dig at PM Modi asking: Can you explain "Reliance" on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal?

Now, Rahul Gandhi tweets on Rafale deal, takes a dig at Modi government

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