Parrikar interacts with members of Indian Association in Shanghai

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday assured the Indian community members of the Government of India's steadfast commitment at securing their interests.

Addressing Indian Association (IA) of Shanghai, Parrikar also underscored that there was significant momentum in India's economy, which had been successful in attracting significant investments under the 'Make in India' initiative.

The IA had organised a welcome gathering in honour of the Defence Minister on the Indian Consulate premises, in which nearly 100 Indian community members participated.

IA Shanghai members included professionals from IT, banking, finance, pharmaceutical sectors, entrepreneurs, members of academia and medical practitioners.

Parrikar's address was followed by a Q&A session, during which issues ranging from India's self reliance in defence production, education to high end technologies and retaining skilled talented students were raised by some of the participants.

Parrikar was accompanied by a delegation comprising including Vice Admiral Sunil Lamba, FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command and Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, DGMO and Ambassador Vijay Gokhale.

Earlier in the afternoon, Parrikar visited the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre, where a briefing on the urban planning achievements of Shanghai, especially its innovative use of technologies and smart city transportations, was provided to the visiting delegation.

The delegation left for Beijing later in the afternoon by a special aircraft from Hongqiao International Airport.