Taking charge of the Defence Ministry, Nirmala Sitharaman today vowed to enhance the country's military preparedness and ensure the welfare of soldiers.
Sitharaman, 58, India's first full-time woman defence minister, also listed defence indigenisation and resolving long-pending issues among her priorities.
She took charge of the key ministry in the presence of her predecessor Arun Jaitley. Indira Gandhi was the only other woman to hold the charge of the ministry, when she was the prime minister.
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A priest conducted prayers in the defence minister's chamber before Sitharaman assumed charge. Her parents were present on the occasion.
In a brief statement, Sitharaman resolved to work hard, saying she will be available round-the-clock to ensure that defence related issues are well attended to.
Immediately after assuming office, Sitharaman approved a grant of over Rs 13 crore which will be released to 8,685 ex- servicemen, widows and dependants out of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. She also approved financial assistance out of Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Fund.
"My priority will definitely be armed forces' preparedness. It is important that Indian armed forces receive all attention in terms of giving them every necessary endowment and equipment," Sitharaman, who was commerce minister earlier, told reporters.
The armed forces have been pressing for enhancing overall capabilities in the face of aggressive posturing by China on the borders and the unhindered proxy war by Pakistan.
The minister said resolving long-pending issues in consultation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Cabinet and ensuring defence indigenisation would also be a major focus area.
A number of issues including appointing a tri-Service chief were pending for a long time.
The defence minister said there was a need for "big play" of the Make in India initiative in overall defence capability and noted that it was very important for the government.
"We shall ensure that the important characters of what makes 'Make in India' an important flagship programme of the Prime Minister are given full play for defence production because India as you know is a very big defence equipment procurer."
Reaching out to armed forces personnel, Sitharaman said another priority area for her would be welfare of families of the armed forces personnel.
She said her endeavour would be to ensure that "the soldiers at the very toughest borders, challenging zones in which they are protecting this country remain absolutely assured that their interests are being taken care of."
Providing the soldiers with the best equipment available would be another focus area, she added.
Sitharaman has now become member of the crucial Cabinet Committee on Security. Its members include the prime minister, home minister, external affairs minister and the finance minister.
As defence minister, Sitharaman faces several challenges, including strengthening combat capabilities of the Army, Navy and the Air Force due to the changing regional security matrix and geo-political dynamics.
Besides, military modernisation programmes have been delayed due to administrative hurdles among other reasons.
The government has been focusing on domestic defence production and Sitharaman will also have to carry forward a number of big-ticket reform initiatives, including implementing the ambitious "strategic partnership" model with several countries like the United States and Russia.
Under the new model, select Indian private firms will be roped in to build military platforms like submarines and fighter jets in India in partnership with foreign defence majors.
Finance Minister Jaitley was handling the defence ministry after Manohar Parrikar quit to become the Goa's chief minister in March.
In his capacity as defence minister, Jaitley went to Japan on Sunday, the day Modi effected the reshuffle of his cabinet, to represent India at a bilateral defence dialogue.
Jaitley had said he was going to Japan as there were logistical issues for Sitharaman to travel to Japan. Officials had said Sitharaman would take charge of the ministry after Jaitley returned from Japan.
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