The finance ministry came in strong defence of reports suggesting Cairn getting French court nod to takeover Indian assets in Paris to recover part of arbitration award, saying that no such communication has been received by it on the matter. However, it said that the government is trying to ascertain the facts, and whenever such an order is received, appropriate legal remedies will be taken, in consultation with its Counsels, to protect the interests of India. Reports from Paris surfaced on Thursday indicating that Cairn has secured a French court order to seize about 20 Indian government properties in France to recover a part of the $1.2 billion arbitration award.

According to people in the know and media reports, French courts completed the legal process on Indian asset takeover on Wednesday that started last month when it has ordered the takeover in favour of the energy company. "… Govt of India has not received any notice, order or communication, in this regard, from any French Court. Government is trying to ascertain the facts, and whenever such an order is received, appropriate legal remedies will be taken, in consultation with its Counsels, to protect the interests of India," a finance ministry statement on the issue said.