Antony: ties with Russia not one-contract specific

8220;Nobody should feel that our fast improving relations with the US are at the cost of old friends. We will maintain the old friendship with Russia. Our relations are not one-contract or one-issue specific,8221; he said, after witnessing a firepower demonstration by the Indian Air Force here.

However, in clear contradiction of the Navy Chief8217;s stance that the 1.5-billion Gorshkov contract should not be opened for renegotiations, Antony said that discussions are on to sort out the issue and a final decision on the matter would be taken by a Cabinet committee. Moscow had earlier stunned India by almost doubling the cost of refurbishing the carrier by demanding 1.2 billion more, taking the total price of the contract to 2.7 billion.

8220;Some discussions are going on. After that, we will place it before the highest body 8212; the concerned Cabinet committee. The final decision will be taken after negotiations are over,8221; said Antony, adding that Indo-Russian ties have stood the test of time for the past 60 years and occasional problems can be sorted out amicably. On Monday, Admiral Mehta created a controversy by saying that a 8220;rethink8221; on India8217;s relations with Russia may be required with changing times and there is a conscious thought within the defence establishment of not putting 8220;all eggs in one basket8221;.