Russian Defence Minister meets Antony

New Delhi, Sept 29 : Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov met his Indian counterpart A K Antony at South Block today.

Earlier, Serdyukov laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate. After paying homage, Serdyukov was presented a Guard of Honour at South Block by the Indian armed forces.

Later, the Russian Defence Minister will co-chair eighth meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission for Military and Technical Commission (IRIGC-MTC) to discuss a broad spectrum of issues including supply of defence systems, equipment upgrade, product and life cycle support for defence equipment of Russian origin.

The meeting is likely to take up renewed price negotiations for 1.5 billion dollar Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, plans for developing a joint fifth generation fighter aircraft and medium transport aircraft, and T-90 tanks technology transfer, sources said.

The meeting will also take issues of licensed and joint production, joint development and production of systems and platforms, interaction between the two armed forces and military technical cooperation. Signing of Protocol will also be held during the meeting.

IRIGC-MTC was established in 2000 with a view to strengthen our bilateral defence cooperation.

The Russian Defence Minister is leading a high-powered military delegation,

During his three-day stay, he will visit the BrahMos Aerospace Complex in the capital besides the Para Brigade of the Army in Agra.

ANI