'I stand by on what I said', says Rahul Gandhi on French govt statement on Rafale deal

New Delhi, July 20: Reacting to French government statement on Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that he will stand by on what he said.

Speaking to media, Gandhi said,''I stand by what I said. Let them deny. But I, Anand Sharma and Manmohan Singh were present in the meeting with the French President.''

According to ANI, the French government has taken note of Rahul Gandhi's statement in the Parliament and issued a statement clarifying that India did sign a confidentiality agreement in 2008, which legally binds the two States to protect the classified information provided by the partner.

The French government further said,"These provisions naturally apply to the IGA concluded on 23 September 2016 on the acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft and their weapons."

Earlier in the day, Speaking in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said, " Defence minister is sitting here. She first said that she will reveal details of the jet prices. After that, defence minister clearly said that she can't reveal the figures because there is a secrecy pact between the French and Indian government. I met the French prime minister that is there a pact, but he said that there is no such pact between the two countries."