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Putin in India to Discuss Weapons, Energy Deals

   VOA News 12 March 2010

   Russian   Prime   Minister   Vladimir  Putin  meets  with  his  Indian
   counterpart  Manmohan Singh in New Delhi Friday to oversee the signing
   of more than a dozen deals in arms and civilian nuclear technology.
   Mr. Putin is hoping to finalize the sale of $10 billion in weapons and
   technology to India.
   India  was  expected  to buy a Soviet-era aircraft carrier that Russia
   has  been  modernizing for the Indian navy.  India initially agreed to
   buy  the  vessel,  the  Admiral  Gorshkov,  in  2004  for less than $1
   billion, but is now expected to offer $2.3 billion.
   Mr.  Putin's  delegation also was expected to sign deals to sell India
   29  MiG29K naval fighter jets, and to help India build several nuclear
   power plants.
   Russia  originally planned to deliver the aircraft carrier to India in
   2008,  but  has  delayed the delivery due to pricing disputes.  Indian
   media  say the delivery is now scheduled for 2012.  The delay and cost
   overruns  have  been  an irritant in relations between the traditional
   allies.
   The  two nations have enjoyed close ties since the Soviet era.  Russia
   supplies  India  with  most  of  its  military hardware, but New Delhi
   recently  has  increased  its  defense-related  deals  with the United
   States and Israel.
   Indian  analysts  say despite the recent civilian nuclear deal between
   India  and  the  U.S.,  Russia  will play a dominant role in supplying
   technology and equipment to help fuel India's booming economy.
   This  is  Mr.  Putin's  first  visit  to  India as prime minister.  He
   visited India in 2007 as Russia's president.

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