Gorshkov price talks may extend beyond PM`s visit to Russia

New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) No end seems to be in sight in the
protracted price negotiation for Admiral Gorshkov aircraft
carrier, which is likely to extend beyond Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Moscow next month,
increasing uncertainty over its timely delivery in 2012.
"The negotiations with the Russians for the Gorshkov
warship is continuing. I do not think the talks are likely to
end before the Prime Minister's visit to Moscow next month," a
Defence Ministry official said here Sunday.
"During Singh's visit to Moscow in December, only two
defence agreements would be signed...to extend military and
technical cooperation by another 10 years to 2020, and for
assured after-sales maintenance and spare parts supply of
Russian defence equipment used by the Indian Armed Forces,"
the official said.
When asked if the new price for the 45,000-tonne
Gorshkov, for which the Russians are demanding an additional
USD 2.9 billion, could be clinched, he replied in the
negative, noting that the talks may not conclude before
Singh's visit.
"The talks for a new price could go into next year," he
added. The Kiev-class warship was originally scheduled for
delivery in 2008.
The Indian side has held a series of talks at various
levels on the escalating costs and delivery delays with the
Russians, including during Defence Minister Antony's visit to
Moscow last month, and is keen on bringing down the additional
cost to about USD 2.2 billion. (More) PTI