Russia and India Extend Military Accord to 2020

At a meeting in Moscow on Dec 7, 2009, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev penned agreements to formally extend the two nations' extensive military partnership through 2020. The accords cover military-technical cooperation and the securing of extensive after-sales support for Russian-manufactured equipment in service with the Indian armed forces. Other pacts inked by the two leaders concern civil nuclear cooperation, energy and commerce. Also reportedly on the agenda was the cost of refurbishing the ex-Russian Navy Admiral Gorshkov (Kiev Class) carrier, purchased by India in 2004 and which will be known as Vikramaditya in Indian service.