Russian Defence Minister to visit India

Moscow, Sep 13 (UNI) Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov will pay a visit to India to take part in the eighth meeting of the Indo-Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Military-Technical Cooperation on September 28-30.

Mr Serdyukov, as co-chairman of the commission, would hold talks with Defence Minister A K Antony on various aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries.

They are expected to discuss the implementation of a joint programme for military-technical cooperation up to 2010 and preparations for its further extension, RIA Novosti reported.

The current programme comprises about 200 joint projects, including the modernisation of the Admiral Gorshkov heavy aircraft carrier for the Indian navy, the transfer of technologies for licensed assembly of T-90 tanks in India, the production of BrahMos missiles and the purchase of Smerch MLRS by India.

The commission's sessions are held alternatively annually in capitals of India and Russia. The previous meeting took place in Moscow in October last year.

During his stay, Mr Serdyukov is expected to visit BrahMos Aerospace Ltd complex in Delhi cantonment, and Agra.

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