DHAKA: Russia on Saturday finally handed over a refurbished ex-Soviet aircraft carrier to India after a refit that overran by five years and went vastly over budget, damaging ties between the countries.

Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin and Indian defence minister AK Antony took part in a ceremony at the Arctic port of Severodvinsk on Saturday morning, Russian news agencies reported, says The Straits Times.

Officials lowered the Russian flag on the ship and raised the flag of the Indian navy in its place. The wife of the ship’s captain broke a coconut against its side.

Russia, which is India’s largest arms supplier, carried out a major refit of the aircraft carrier, which joined the Soviet navy in 1987 as the Admiral Gorshkov.

It has now been renamed the INS Vikramaditya after an Indian emperor.

BDST: 1624 HRS, NOV 16, 2013
RoR/BSK