Case of helicopters: India says its serious concern at Cameron

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday it had sent to his British counterpart, David Cameron, its serious concern about alleged corruption involving the sale to India of 12 helicopters by an Anglo-Italian firm in 2010.

I also expressed to the Prime Minister our very serious concern about allegations of improper means were used to seal the contract of 2010 AgustaWestland, Singh said at a joint press conference at the end of bilateral interviews.

David Cameron has assured me of his government's cooperation in the investigation, said Mr Singh.

The Indian government said Friday it has launched a procedure to cancel the contract of 748 million dollars (560 million euros), with AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of Italy's Finmeccanica, after allegations of bribery bribes to Indian officials.


The helicopters are manufactured in the southwest of England and three have already been delivered to India. Finmeccanica boss arrested in Italy for international corruption and resigned in the wake.

We will respond to any request for information. I am pleased that the Italian authorities are investigating the matter in detail, said Mr Cameron, the second day of his visit to India.

In the UK, we have put in place anti-corruption legislation which is probably the highest in the world. We all exhumerons corruption problem where and when they appear, the Prime Minister promised.

According to press reports based on leaks Italian investigators, one of the intermediate alleged to have acted to seal the deal AgustaWestland is based in London.