NEW DELHI, Dec 8:
Despite repeated Russian offer to help in the investigation of the sinking of Naval ship Sindhurakshak following an explosion, India is preferring to complete its own probe first.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government was currently not going to take a call on the Russian offer.
A massive explosion had occurred on August 14 at the Russian made submarine of the Indian navy, sinking the ship and killing 18 Navy personnel, including three officers on board. The Government has ordered an inquiry into the matter which was still going on. The submarine had been commissioned into the Navy in 1997.
When asked whether the issue was raised during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent annual Summit with President Putin, MEA Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, “This offer was made and it has been raised previously and a response has been indicated that currently we are in the process of undertaking our own investigations and once these are finalised, we will take a call on how best to go about it further.”
He also said “If there is a requirement, we will take this up with our friends outside.”
According to one estimate, around Rs 500 crore would be required for the salvage of the ship. (UNI)
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