Gorshkov negotiation high on Russian Defence minister`s agenda

New Delhi, Sept 26 (PTI) The renewed price negotiations
for the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier will top the agenda
of Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov during his
three-day visit to India beginning September 28.

"The Russian Defence Minister will be in New Delhi from
September 28 to 30 to co-chair the Indo-Russian Inter-
Governmental Commission for Military and Technical Cooperation
with his Indian counterpart, A. K. Antony, when various deals,
including Gorshkov, will be discussed and agreements signed,"
a Defence Ministry source said here Friday.

India had bought the aircraft carrier and rechristened it
as I.N.S. Vikramaditya under a USD 1.5 billion deal in 2004
and sent it to the Russian Sevmash Shipyard for a refit.

However, Russia has been demanding an additional USD 1.2
billion citing escalating costs for completing the refit and
delivering Gorshkov to Indian Navy under a delayed schedule in
2012. The ship was originally scheduled to join Indian Navy
service in 2009.

Among the other issues Serdyukov will discuss with Antony
are plans for developing a joint fifth generation fighter
aircraft and medium transport aircraft, and T-90 tanks
technology transfer, sources said.

The Russian delegation will arrive in Delhi on September
28 evening and their Defence Minister will hold one-to-one
meeting with his Indian counterpart here at South Block on
September 29.
The two sides would attend the Inter-Governmental
Commission, which was last held in Moscow in September 2007,
immediately after their two Defence Ministers meet, sources
said.
During the meeting, the two countries would sign
military protocols on issues of mutual interest and negotiate
the important defence agreements.
Serdyukov will also visit BrahMos Aerospace, a joint
venture between the two countries design, development and
marketing of advanced cruise missiles, in Delhi Cantonment.
The Indian Defence Minister will host an official
dinner in honour of Serdyukov that evening.
On September 30, Serdyukov will visit Agra to take a
round of the 50 Para Brigade of the Indian Army and will
witness live demonstration by Army paratroopers.
The Russian delegation will also see the Taj Mahal
before returning to Moscow.