Russian Defence Minister to visit India to negotiate deals

Russian Defence Minister to visit India to negotiate deals
Press Trust Of India / New Delhi September 26, 2008, 12:40 IST

In an effort to further military relations with India, Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov will be here on a three-day visit to attend an inter-governmental commission of the two countries and to negotiate key deals with New Delhi.

Among the issues Serdyukov will discuss with his Indian counterpart, A K Antony, are the renewed price negotiations for the $1.5 billion Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, plans for developing a joint fifth generation fighter aircraft and medium transport aircraft, and T-90 tanks technology transfer, Defence Ministry sources said today.

He is likely to resolve the price issue of Gorshkov, which is currently undergoing a refit at the Sevmash Shipyard in Russia, during his talks with Antony.

Russians have been demanding an additional $1.2 billion for the refit of the aircraft carrier.

Asked about the negotiations on Wednesday, Antony had said the details of the negotiations would be known after the meeting with his Russian counterpart.

Serdyukov will arrive at the Palam technical area by a special flight at 18.10 hours on Sunday.

After lay a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyothi at India Gate on Monday morning, he would be presented a Guard of Honour at South Block by the Indian armed forces.

After a half-hour-long meeting with Antony at his office, the Russian Defence Minister will co-chair the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission for Military and Technical Commission, an unique arrangement that New Delhi has only with Moscow, along with the former at DRDO Bhawan Auditorium, sources said.