We chose Ambani by ourselves: Dassault CEO

New Delhi: Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier Tuesday, in an interview to ANI, reiterated that his company had chosen Reliance as an offset partner, and denied allegations of corruption in the Rafale jet deal with India saying it was a "clean deal". He added that the price in the contract for 36 aircraft was brought down by 9 per cent after government-to-government negotiations.

"We chose (Anil) Ambani by ourselves. We are also looking at other partners. We already have 30 partners other than Reliance," Trappier said.

On allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal, Trappier said, "I don't lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don't have a reputation for lying. In my position as CEO, you don't lie."

In response to a question on Congress president Rahul Gandhi's allegations that Dassault paid Rs 284 crore in alleged "kickbacks" to a Reliance firm to purchase land near an airfield in Nagpur, Trappier added, "I am sad to hear that. We have had a long experience with the Congress."

Our first deal was with India in 1953 was with Nehru, later other PMs. We are working with India, for Indian forces. We are not working for any party; we are supplying strategic products to IAF and the Indian government. That's what is most important," Trappier said.