No IP rights pact, no more arms: Russia warns India

‘‘If such an agreement is not signed, we will not transfer such property free to anyone. We are not the Soviet Union,’’ he warned, accusing India of intentionally delaying the finalisation of the pact. He said Russia handed the draft agreement to India two years ago. However, the Indian side had, so far, not responded to the draft.

Ivanov said that he was ‘‘not sure that it will be signed’’ during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India this week.

Referring to the prospects of Indo-Russian defence cooperation, he said that it was developing in line with the joint programme for up to 2010. ‘‘I am absolutely sure that during Putin’s visit, the military technical cooperation will certainly be discussed between the leaders of the two countries, at the highest level,’’ Ivanov said.

The Defence Minister dismissed reports in Indian media to the effect that Russia was not fulfilling the contract on Admiral Gorshkov heavy aircraft carrier. ‘‘This is not so,’’ he said adding that after the payment of first advance amount, in April this year, the work on this contract started.

Ivanov said that keeping in view the strategic partnership, paratroopers of the Indian and Russian air forces will hold a joint military exercise in India next year.