[So, a *new* treaty had to be signed this March 10 to justify non-disclosure of price! The old one was *not* good enough.
But, thus the refusal prior to this March 10 appears even more ridiculous and indefensible. More so, given the Defence Minister's categorical commitment made on last November 17 in a specially convened press conference to share "all the figures". There was no rider, on "national security" or "contractual obligation" or whatever. (Ref.: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0qKRCG0IPM> and < https://scroll.in/video/867754/watch-sitharaman-in-2017-saying-difference-between-congress-and-nda-on-rafale-is-transparency >.) 《“An agreement between India and France regarding the Exchange and Reciprocal Protection of Classified or Protected Information was signed on March 10, 2018 during the visit of President of France to India,” Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre told Lok Sabha. This new treaty would replace an agreement of 2008 and is the reason why the government would not disclose details of the deal for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighters from France, officials point out.》] http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cannot-reveal-rafale-details-due-to-pact-centre/article23385322.ece Cannot reveal Rafale details due to pact: Centre SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, MARCH 29, 2018 22:15 IST UPDATED: MARCH 29, 2018 22:15 IST Subhash Bhamre. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Union government cannot disclose details of the Rafale deal as India and France had recently signed an agreement to protect classified information exchanged between the two sides, according to officials. The government told Parliament this week that the two sides signed the agreement when French President Emmanuel Macron visited India on March 10. “An agreement between India and France regarding the Exchange and Reciprocal Protection of Classified or Protected Information was signed on March 10, 2018 during the visit of President of France to India,” Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre told Lok Sabha. This new treaty would replace an agreement of 2008 and is the reason why the government would not disclose details of the deal for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighters from France, officials point out. Mr. Bhamre further said: “This agreement defines the common security regulations applicable to any exchange of classified and protected information between the two countries.” The Minister did not provide further specifics of the agreement. This agreement replaces the confidentiality agreement signed between the two sides during the UPA regime in 2008. The new agreement is significant in the wake of Opposition parties, especially the Congress, alleging a major financial scandal in the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets. -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
