Can you hear me now?

It is customary practice for corporations to deny merger and acquisition activity, even as the lawyers are fine-tuning the verbiage that will be contained in the press release announcing the deal. So, Target’s assertion that its 2,100-person-strong operations in India are not for sale must be taken with a grain of salt. Be that as it may, there are denials and there are denials of the type Target released earlier this week.

“We do not know the source of this ridiculous speculation, but we can absolutely reaffirm that it is unequivocally not true,” said Tim Baer, Target’s EVP and general counsel.

Baer said reaffirm because this is the second time the company has dispelled the notion that its operations in India are for sale.  The company emphatically refuted the irresponsible rumor that it is engaged in any discussions, or has any plans, to sell its Target India operations, according to a press release. The company further stated, “In fact, Target continues to more deeply integrate the work of its Bangalore teams with its U.S.-based teams, bringing the teams, sites and work even closer together. These activities and strategic direction demonstrate our commitment to our operations in Target India and are completely counter to this persistent, inaccurate rumor.”