‘Over-reaction’: Parrikar reply to MoD dissent note on Rafale

NEW DELHI/KOCHI: Defence ministry officials had strongly objected to “parallel negotiations” being conducted by the PMO with France in the run-up to the Rafale deal being inked in September 2016, but then defence minister Manohar Parrikar had disagreed, overruling the view as an “overreaction”.

Internal ministry documents show MoD officials, including the then defence secretary G Mohan Kumar, raised concerns about the “weakening of the negotiating position” of the Indian Negotiating Team (INT) headed by then IAF deputy chief Air Marshal SBP Sinha due to “parallel discussions” being conducted by PMO with the French side over sovereign guarantee and other issues.

“We may advise PMO that officers who are not part of the INT (which had two IAF officers and five joint secretary-level MoD officials) may refrain from having parallel parleys with French government officers. In case the PMO is not confident about the outcome of negotiations being carried out by MoD, a revised modality of negotiations to be led by PMO at appropriate level may be adopted in the case,” said the note, initiated by then deputy secretary (Air-II) S K Sharma on November 25, 2015.

However, after a news report appeared on Friday, Mohan Kumar told TOI that suggestions of the PMO’s interference were an “exaggerated, manufactured story based on half-truths”. He added, “It is just part of usual procedure and had nothing to do with pricing negotiations.” Air Marshal Sinha (retd) said the note was not initiated by the INT and denied any interference from the PMO.

The note was endorsed by the then joint secretary (air acquisitions) and director general (acquisitions). Kumar, too, wrote on the note, “Raksha Mantri may please see. It is desirable that such discussions be avoided by the PMO as it undermines our negotiating position seriously.”

Parrikar, after over 40 days on January 11, 2016, noted, “It appears the PMO and French President’s office are monitoring the progress of issues which was an outcome of the summit meeting (Modi-Hollande in April 2015). Para 5 (the note) appears to be an overreaction. Defence secretary may resolve issue/matter in consultation with the principal secretary to PM.” Parrikar’s noting, incidentally, was not included in a news report that triggered a fresh political storm over the Rafale deal.

Kumar said the “parallel discussions” between a joint secretary in PMO, Jawed Ashraf, and diplomatic advisor to French defence minister Luis Vassy, focused on sovereign guarantee and other general terms and conditions. “The entire price negotiations were carried out by MoD and IAF officials in the INT, without any outside interference,” he said.

Air Marshal Sinha said the internal MoD note was “raised and closed” within the ministry itself. “The note was initiated by S K Sharma, who was not part of the INT. So, in what capacity and at whose behest he initiated this note is very intriguing. There was never any interference from anybody in the price negotiations, including the PMO,” he added.