In September 2012, India media outlets suggested cost escalation and contract delays are likely. The Indian Air Force expected to complete negotiations and sign the contract by the end of the fiscal year, in March 2013. However, in 2013, Indian Minister of External Affairs, Salman Khurshid said that the contract was taking longer than expected to finalize. EADS on the other hand is still hopeful of the contract given the delay in signing the contract. It is said that the deal came up during the visit of British prime minister to India in February 2013.