Russian defence minister Anatoly Serdyukov's visit may resolve INS Vikramaditya impasse

New Delhi: There may be a firm resolution to the long-festering INS Vikramaditya (ex-Admiral Gorshkov) aircraft carrier episode with the month-end visit to the country by the Russian defence minister Anatoly Serdyukov. The minister will be here to attend the eighth round of an inter-governmental commission which alternates between New Delhi and the Russian capital of Moscow.

"The Russian defence minister will be in New Delhi from 28-30 September to co-chair the Indo-Russian inter-governmental commission for military and technical cooperation," defence ministry sources said here.

The commission is co-chaired by the Indian defence minister, AK Antony, who is currently on a visit to the United States of America.  The meets take place on an annual basis, with the last meeting taking place in Moscow in September 2007.

There would be delegation-level meetings between the two defence ministers, apart from a visit by Serdyukov to BrahMos Aerospace Ltd complex here in New Delhi. BrahMos is an Indo-Russian joint venture for design, development and marketing of supersonic cruise missiles.

Amongst other issues, also up for consideration will be the Russian demand for a staggering $1.2 billion hike in the re-fitting price of the INS Vikramaditya. The ship was sold to India for $1.5 billion by Russia with the refit to be carried out at a Russian shipyard.

The expected delivery date of 2008 has now been pushed back to an indefinite period.