Indias Decision To Scrap Westland Deal May Create Row

Indias decision to scrap 21Westland helicopters is likely to trigger a major political storm in Britain as the choppers were bought for over 65 million pound sterling of British aid meant for humantarian purposes.

Whitehall is panicking over the Indian government decision to be announced shortly that it will sell the 21 helicopters abandoned in Mumbai and Delhi to a spare parts and scrap dealer in Sussex, the Guardian reported.

The paper said the Indian governments intention had been described by internal British government documents as a catastrophic waste of aid funds and might lead to accusing fingers being raised against former Prime Minister Baroness Margret Thatcher.

Who had personally brokered the deal with late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1987 to prop up the then troubled Westland Helicopter Company.

The Guardian said the Indian government was given the 65 million pound sterling aid package on condition that it purchased the helicopters.

British officials feel that besides the political storm, the step by the Indian government could lead to challenge in court by overseas aid charities.