By SHUBHAJIT Chakraborty
New Delhi, March 10 – The long delayed deal with Russia on aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov will come to an end soon. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday on a two day visit. According to sources, Russian PM will have a priority to discuss the defense deal with his counter part.
Earlier Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had visited Russian in December 2009. Mr. Putin’s trip hold much importance as he has some important agenda in his kit such as bilateral technological and energy cooperation to a new level other than defense deal.
The deal is worth of USD 4 billion, besides there are also deal with the agreement for joint manufacture of fifth generation fighters. Though according to sources, India has to cough up additional USD 2.35 billion for maintenance and upgradation of the carrier and also to train naval crew.
The Gorshkov carrier, which has been rechristened INS Vikramaditya is now scheduled to be delivered by 2013. India would pay another USD 1.2 billion for the new naval MiG-29K/KUB.
The new MIGs contract already signed in 2004 as a part of the Gorshkov deal. Indian Navy already incorporated this maritime fighter planes.
Commenting on the visit, Director of Centre of Indian Studies of the Science Academy Tatiana Shaumyan said: “Until recently India was looked as the ‘client state’, but today there is the clear understanding that relations with India should be developed as a dialogue partner.”
According to the sources, Mr. Singh will accord a red carpet welcome to Russian PM, similar in 1968 when the then Russian PM Alexei Kosygin was welcomed by Indian then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
