why this outrageous cost?

Probably because you made calls to India and didn't subscribe to an International calling plan.  Cox's published rates to India from my market are $7.34/min without a plan but $0.14/min if you subscribe to "Simply Worldwide" at $2.99/mo.  You can call India for a little as a penny a min with a Google Voice number.

Allen, yes. Spent 30 mins with Cust. Support to change it. My previous phone provider had 0.01 cent default plan. Cox used the discount tactics to bait and switch and now i can't use my phone...!