Friday, May 6 2005 22:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Taking note of the French envoy in New Delhi questioning Air India's decision to buy 50 aircraft from Boeing and not Airbus Industries, India today (May 6, 2005) said that his remarks were not in keeping with diplomatic propriety.

This was conveyed by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran when French Ambassador Dominique Girard called on him.

Drawing his attention to press reports, Saran said that if they were correct, then Girard's remarks were "not in keeping with diplomatic propriety", External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

Girard said that he had merely expressed disappointment and that his remarks had not been correctly quoted.

The French Ambassador was quoted as saying that "some factors other than commercial" have influenced the deal. He hoped India will consider "comprehensive factors" while going for 126 fighter planes for the Air Force in which French jets Mirage will be competing.

"We are surprised and disappointed. Airbus definitely has an advantage over Boeing," Girard said.

He claimed that Boeing would not be able to deliver all the 50 planes on urgent basis, a requirement of the Air India, which could be met easily by the Airbus.

Listing other "advantages", he said that Airbus aircraft are competitive in terms of price, are known to Indian pilots and are easy to train on.