The Union government on July 2 defended the nearly Rs.2,000 crore deal between Jet Airways and Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad, saying the investment is important for India and opposition to the pact is politically motivated. Those opposing the deal are long on politics and short on facts, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said about the widespread opposition to the deal.
Some parliamentarians and political parties, including the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have voiced opposition to the deal and sought explanations from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.