WTO is the only multilateral system in which developed and developing countries sit together at par.
Nirmala Sitharaman
PM Modi believes in detailed planning through extensive consultation. He is an example as a listener - no interruptions, no urgent phone calls, no distractions; he absorbs every input. He doesn't hesitate to say he needs more inputs, another round of briefing, or more time to mull over.
Major reforms include optimisation of the Signals establishments, restructuring of repair echelons, redeployment of ordnance echelons, better utilisation of supply and transport echelons, besides closure of military farms, and Army postal establishments in peace locations.
On shipbuilding, on submarine building, warship building, coastal surveillance or small vessel building, we have both public and private sector. The capacities have really been scaled up, and the skill sets, hi-tech skill sets, have been acquired.
We want to ensure that food is traded better, farmers get a better price, and consumers are able to access it at affordable prices.
France has been maintaining a very special relationship with India on defence matters.
The BJP does not intend to use Parliament to project Congress's corruption.
With South East Asian nations, ASEAN countries, with some of them, we do have defence cooperation, and we continue with them.
The government's intention is to function, to have debates in Parliament, and to work in the interest of the people.
We want our exports to perform better. We want more exports. We want to reach out to more countries selling our products, and for that, a weaker rupee will be anytime better.
Free trade agreements are never for one sector alone.
I would love to help the textile sector, but at the same time, a big red flag is held by the automotive parts and automotive sector. They don't want to open up to the European Union.
Bringing in timely laws that are the need of the hour requires nimbleness to get through the necessary legislative processes.
The government doesn't go about refuting everything that floats around.
Even during negotiation with HAL, Dassault felt that the cost with which the HAL will produce will be far higher than the aircraft produced in France. That was the reality.
India lived in hopelessness, as the government was not responsive. It did not know what the poor needed. There was complete policy paralysis. Corruption was rampant, and terrorists used to play havoc in the country.
Obviously, defence is very sensitive and very challenging ministry.
You can't hold the armed forces responsible for being firm with terrorists. We need to be firm with terrorists.
In India, elections happen every year in at least a few states.
It will be a priority for me to ensure the smooth and speedy implementation of defence deals and projects.
Guess 'Make in India' means I have to support India, whether private or public.
I am saying this with a certain sense of confidence and not arrogance. The defence ministry is being run without any middleman and in a transparent way. We have proved that defence procurement can happen without middlemen.
Post globalisation, the debate has been, 'How much more are we going to liberalise?'
We have heard the Chinese refer to the Shangri-La Dialogue speech at various points. You have a lot of articulations about the top leadership itself about what is the spirit of India-China relations. There is a very clear understanding between the two countries about the defence relationship.
Since when has the Congress become protector of judiciary? Do I have to remind how Indira Gandhi treat the judiciary when one verdict went against them? Rajeev Gandhi in 1988 almost brought the bill, and during that phase, how many cases were filed against the media? And their son and grandson is talking about press freedom.
The language of any joint statement between two countries is mulled over many times before it becomes final.
It's one thing to get the money apportioned in the budget; the other is to utilise it completely.
In a multi-party democracy, many issues which you want - or do not want - will be raised. It is for us to make it relevant or not so relevant with our answers.
The narrative related to economics is, I think, very well understood even by the common man.
In defence, 'Make in India' is happening in a big way, and it is not happening without orders coming from the ministry.
Delhi was not completely a new place for me, but as a political worker, it was a new place.
Much to my surprise, not a moment have I been made to feel, 'Alright, a woman - probably the prime minister wanted to make a token gesture.' The ease with which people have taken this thought of a woman minister has been a great strength for me and has made my job far easier.
A new procurement policy had to be brought in 2016. Subsequent to it, procurement has gone up rapidly.
I respect the Forces... but civil services also have a contribution to make. They are there to bridge administration with Forces. They are critical, and I give credit to them. I don't claim to have done miracles in bridging it, but I have just said the two lines can go parallel.
Most of the expressions we use in economics are relative terms. All of us are votaries of free trade.
I will be the defence minister round-the-clock.
We will ensure that the important characters of what make 'Make in India' an important flagship programme for PM Modi is given full play for defence production. 'Make in India' needs to take over so we benefit from what is manufactured in India and finds an international market.
There is something different between defence deal and deal in defence.
Nobody has a right to call me or the prime minister a thief and a liar.
It's only under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership that the country can foresee a bright future.
People have realised that for want of anything substantial, the Congress is using Rafale to question the government. But people are not responding or reacting positively to them. They've had enough of this muck-raking.
The first thing I have done for the Tejas is that their capacity to annually produce eight aircraft has now been increased to 16. I have doubled it. For which we have given enough support, we have told them that if they need additional space for testing and trials, we are willing to give it.
DRDO should introspect to make themselves more nimble towards innovation.
Dassault could not progress in the negotiations with HAL because if the aircraft were to be produced in India, a guarantee for the product to be produced was to be given. It is a big ticket item, and the IAF would want the guarantee for the jets. HAL was in no position to give the guarantee.
We are a party which believes that we work in the national interest, not just to please my opposition.
Bofors was a scam. Rafale is not.
A border is a border. I have to be conscious of both my borders. I will also have be conscious of my sea. It is less talked about.
There are several areas where the border is not completely defined and demarcated.
None of us should play party to any corporate warfare. We cannot become pawns in the hands of corporate giants' warfare to constantly bully the government, to throw misinformation to the public, tell part-truth and part-story to the public.
Every year, I have given Rs 20,000 crore worth of projects to HAL. But the previous UPA government gave just Rs 10,000 crore projects.
