Allegations relating to Rafale deal shameful: Sitharaman

New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday that allegations relating to the procurement deal for 36 Rafale fighter jet were "shameful" and that such bickering was a "disservice" to the armed forces.

Her remarks came a day after the Congress accused the prime minister of changing the "entire deal" to benefit a businessman.

"These allegations are shameful. The deal was finalised following a transparent procedure," Sitharaman told reporters.

The defence minister also called the bickering against the deal as "disservice" to the armed forces, asserting that urgent requirement of the Indian Air Force was the main reason for sealing it.

The defence minister said the final agreement for 36 Rafale jets was signed in September 2016, after five rounds of lengthy discussions between Indian and French sides and approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security.