New Delhi: The British government had told India “in the recent past” that it would wait for the outcome of the Italian authorities’ probe against Finmeccamica before launching an investigation into its UK-based subsidiary AgustaWestland’s deal to supply 12 helicopters to the Indian Air Force.
AgustaWestland, which has over 3,000 employees in its chopper manufacturing plant in the UK, was selected for a £ 46 million stimulus from the British government’s Regional Growth Fund in October 2012, notwithstanding the investigation into its parent company Finmeccanica in Italy. It planned to use the stimulus, as well as an investment of
£ 100 million by itself, for diversification into the civilian helicopter business.
India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Jamini Bhagwati, told journalists on Friday that New Delhi had in the recent past sent a communiqué to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the British government, enquiring if any probe was being initiated into the allegations that AgustaWestland had resorted to unfair practices to win the contract. Senior diplomats of the High Commission of India in London also had a meeting with the British government officials.
15/02/13 Anirban Bhaumik/Deccan herald
