NEW DELHI — India’s defense minister played down on Wednesday the prospects of a speedy conclusion to contract negotiations with France’s Dassault Aviation for the acquisition of 126 Rafale fighter jets.
Asked about recent reported comments from a senior air force figure that the deal might be signed by March, A. K. Antony replied that the contract had to go through numerous stages of scrutiny.
“How can I set a deadline?” Antony told reporters. “The process is on.”
He said he could not interfere with the Contract Negotiation Committee, which is reviewing the $12 billion contract designed to bolster India’s aging air defenses.
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