M A I N   N E W S

No deal on N-subs
India, Russia sign 4 pacts
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 8
Even as India and Russia today signed four key protocols and decided to develop satellite global surveillance system and fifth generation combat aircraft there was no deal on New Delhi acquiring on lease two Russian nuclear submarines.

Addressing the media at a joint press conference after a hectic day of meetings between the two sides, Defence Minister George Fernandes said, “There is no deal on nuclear submarine”.

The press conference was also addressed by the visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov.

There was also no deal forthcoming on the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov apparently as there was still no agreement on the price of the refitment of the huge carrier. Mr Fernandes said there were technical discussions on the issue and price negotiations were to be held.

The four protocols are on cooperation in ship building, aviation and land systems; Indo-Russian working group on military-technical cooperation; Indo-Russian inter-governmental commission on military-technical cooperation and Department of Defence sub group protocol.