Anubandh KATÉ continues his conversation with India's leading investigative journalists & authors Ravi NAIR and Paranjoy GUHA-THAKURTA, along with Yann PHILIPPIN of Mediapart, France.
"Scandals, especially arms deal scandals, have a habit of re-surfacing unexpectedly." - N. RAM, The HINDU
The book, "The Rafale Deal: Flying Lies? The Role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India’s Biggest Defence Scandal" was published in December 2022.
Here's an exclusive interview where Anubandh KATÉ brings together India's leading investigative journalists & authors Ravi NAIR and Paranjoy GUHA-THAKURTA, along with Yann PHILIPPIN of Mediapart, France. In this first part of the three session interviews, we minutely dissect the India specific details of this mega defense deal which has long been mired in corruption quagmire.
In this interview, Yann PHILIPPIN claims that in the thick of this sensitive and costly negotiation, through Sushen GUPTA (Dassault's Indian intermediate), Dassault Aviation managed to get hold of confidential documents of the India Negotiating Team (INT) as well as the details of the revised offer of its competitor Eurofighter (with 20% discount). This severely weakened India's chances to procure a fair deal. He further claims that both the French and the Indian governments are refusing to cooperate with the investigation probe initiated by the French judiciary.
In the third session of this series of interviews, we will be joined as well by renowned French investigative journalist, Ariane LAVRILLEUX, who will present to us the "Egypt Papers" (sell of French armaments, including Rafale to Egypt).
Note:
1) These interviews were recorded in July 2024.
2) The interview has simultaneous French and English subtitles.
3) Please consult the English transcript of this interview at the below link.
https://thefrenchmasala.blogspot.com/2025/04/rafale-part-1-english.html?m=1
4) Please consult the French transcript of this interview at the below link.
https://thefrenchmasala.blogspot.com/2025/04/rafale-part-1-french.html?m=1
#TheGreatRafaleMystery #RafalePapers #ChowkidarChorHai #MaiBhiChowkidar #SabYaadRakhaJayega
Hello,
The book, "The Rafale Deal: Flying Lies? The Role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India’s Biggest Defense Scandal" was published in December 2022.
Here's a second part of the three session interviews, where Anubandh KATÉ continues his conversation with India's leading investigative journalists & authors Ravi NAIR and Paranjoy GUHA-THAKURTA, along with Yann PHILIPPIN of Mediapart, France. In this session, we go deeper in our analysis of the India specific details of this hugely controversial defense deal.
In a dramatic turnaround of events, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra MODI, on an official visit to France in April 2015 scrapped the original deal to procure 126 Rafale jets (18 fly away, manufactured in France + 108 to be manufactured in India by HAL, with a Transfer of Technology clause) from France (Dassault Aviation) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Further, India’s renowned public sector company HAL was replaced by a loss making private firm, Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), with no prior experience in the defense sector.
The authors of the book argue that although the CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric TRAPPIER had publicly avowed excellent working relations with HAL, Dassault Aviation was reluctant to take responsibility of the HAL – India manufactured 108 Rafale. Further, the then Defense minister Nirmala SITHARAMAN had accused HAL of non-cooperation with Dassault Aviation, withholding huge sums of due payments to it.
The repercussions of scrapping of the original deal meant that the Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to be deficient in its required Squadron strength.
In the third session of this series of interviews, we will be joined as well by renowned French investigative journalist, Ariane LAVRILLEUX, who will present to us the "Egypt Papers" (sell of French armaments, including Rafale to Egypt).
Note:
1) These interviews were recorded in July 2024.
2) The interview has simultaneous French and English subtitles.
3) Please consult the English transcript of this interview at the below link.
https://thefrenchmasala.blogspot.com/2025/04/tuesday-april-22-2025-rafale-deal.html
4) Please consult the French transcript of this interview at the below link.
https://thefrenchmasala.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-rafale-deal-flying-lies-partie-2.html
#TheGreatRafaleMystery #RafalePapers #ChowkidarChorHai #MaiBhiChowkidar #SabYaadRakhaJayega
“Join Afrida Rahman Ali and Anushka Jagtiani in our live special, Bihar Mandate 2025: Verdict Day, as we track the outcome of the Bihar assembly elections, where all 243 seats are up for grabs and the counting of votes opens at 8 a.m. on November 14.
We dive into the historic voter turnout of around 67 % across the two-phase poll held on November 6 and November 11, the major alliances at play (National Democratic Alliance vs Mahagathbandhan), key constituency-wise trends, and what the result spells out for the next government in Bihar.
Expect instant result updates, panel commentary, and interactive Q&A as the mandate unfolds — don’t miss it!”
#Bihar2025 #BiharElectionResults #VoteCounting #ElectionDay #ECI #NDA #Mahagathbandhan #BiharPolitics #indiaelections
Here's a one-minute speech Paranjoy Guha Thakurta gave at the Lohia Maidan, Margao, Goa, on the evening of Sunday 09 November 2025 at a public rally where over five thousand individuals from across Goa had assembled to protest the movement of coal across the state from Mormugao Port to steel plants in Karnataka.
In this episode, I sit down with Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, one of India’s most fearless and respected journalists,Writer, Publisher, Music Video & Documentary film maker.
He has spent decades reporting on politics, business, and media — always standing by the truth, no matter how difficult it gets.
Our talk is about much more than news.
It’s about honesty, courage, and the challenges of being a journalist in today’s world.
We discuss:
-How Paranjoy started his journey in journalism
-The price of being honest and fearless in media
-Real experiences from his long career in reporting and writing
His views on how truth and freedom can survive in today’s world
If you want to know what it really means to speak truth to power, don’t miss this conversation.
It’s simple, real, and full of learning.
