The long term relationship between India and Russia faced another jolt following the latter's demand of an additional $2 billion for supplying the refurbished aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov to India. Three yeas ago, the two countries struck the deal at $750 million. Russia is expected to deliver the refurbished carrier by 2012, provided the negotiations see a fair channel.

The sudden rise in the cost has paved way for a huge uproar in the country’s political and defence arena. Former Indian Navy chief, admiral (Retd) Arun Prakash has said that this is nothing but sheer, bare-faced blackmailing by Russia.

Present Navy Chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta said that he is looking at the matter as a government to government contract. Such reaction from Admiral Mehta was expected and can be traced from the rebuke he received last year for taking a tough stance on the issue.

Indian Ambassador to Moscow, Prabhat Prakash Shukla said that the negotiations are still in the process about new conditions and delivery schedule and hope that both the countries will realize their responsibilities and will come up with a solution.
 
Meanwhile, justifying the step, Russian ambassador to New Delhi, Vyacheslav said that it is a market economy and there are no more free lunches. Indicating a tough negotiation ahead, he said that everything depends on what exactly India wanted in the ship and every little thing they wanted to be added would add to the cost.

Earlier, Defence Minister A K Antony following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov in last September had decided to establish a joint working group at the defence secretary-level to resolve the Gorshkov issue as also delays in other defence deals.