I said I was not going to speak on this topic anymore but since you asked me directly:
Past cases are irrelevant. Let me tell you that the defence procurement climate in India is hugely different to even 5 years ago. The rules and polices set in place because of past scandals make India one of the most scrutinised and clean defence procurement markets out there- much cleaner than the murky dealings that take place in Europe and the M.East for instance. This incident should only highlight the lengths the GoI/MoD will go to keep itself clean- the deal is on the verge of being scrapped purely because of allegations and despite any definitive evidence. Other defence deals like the 197 LUH deal have met similar fates just because the MoD wanted to make sure the deals were 100% clean.
Where does the UK come in? Well it is Augusta Westland (a UK company) who is at the forefront of the wrong-doing. It seems most of the illicit practices were done by AW on behalf of the parent company- Finmeccanica. This is a major story waiting to explode.
The fact of the matter is this is a European-centric news story that has been picked up by the Indian media and distorted into a GoI corruption scandal when it is nothing of the sort. All the money made off this deal was made IN EUROPE, the beneficiaries of all the money where EUROPEAN and all the crimes/illicit activities were committed by EUROPEANS. Where does India play a part in this other than being the party ripped-off/overcharged by AW and is now entitled to compensation?
The UKG has a history of this- remember the Saudi-EFT deal?
I've got a mate who works for a major UK-based defence firm (not AW) and he has told me, just today, that he expects the brown stuff to hit the fan over at AW VERY soon!
Believe me, the full story of what has gone on has not come out yet, there are many more shocks still to emerge in Europe.
I am waiting with baited breath to hear what other nefarious activities will be revealed in the coming weeks re Europe.
AW is a wholly owned subsidiary of FM " On 26 May 2004, GKN confirmed that it had agreed to sell its share of AgustaWestland to Finmeccanica for £1.06 billion.[7][8] The sale was approved by the British government in October 2004" , so the UK has nothing to do with this sale. Don't cast aspersions needlessly.
In fact a country that has murders , rapists, gangsters, (all supposedly under investigation) in their parliament are prime contenders for corrupt practices.
The 2G scam, coalgate, the absolute fiasco of the Commonwealth Games speaks volumes about the largest democracy. Before pointing fingers indulge in a little introspection and attempt to take remedial action in Indian behaviour before besmirching other countries.