Russian, Indian Officials Discuss $10 Billion In Arms Contracts

16 November 2005 -- The Indian defense minister said today that Russia and India are discussing some $10 billion worth of arms sales contracts.

Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee -- who is in Moscow for talks on military cooperation -- met today with President Vladimir Putin.

Mukherjee gave no details on the weapons contracts being discussed, but he also said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is to sign a deal on the joint production with Russia of a new cargo plane during a 4-6 December visit to Moscow.

Russia provides around 70 percent of India's arms imports. The two countries have already agreed to jointly produce BrahMos anti-ship missiles and have discussed potential cooperation in the construction of fighter jets.

(AFP/Reuters/ITAR-TASS)