India denies Hawk deal facing collapse

India has denied a newspaper report that its deal with Britain to buy 66 Hawk military jet trainers was in jeopardy.

An Indian defence ministry spokesman said negotiations to buy the jets worth $1bn were still proceeding.

According to the report carried by the Guardian newspaper in Britain, the Indian Government had decided the price of the jets was unacceptable and that it was instead considering cheaper aircraft from Russia.

The Indian defence ministry spokesman conceded that Defence Minister, Jaswant Singh, had been shown MiG aircraft during his visit to Russia, but he said no deal had been reached.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service