BENGALURU: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday expressed confidence that India and US will be able to sign big defence deals during President Barack Obama’s visit to New Delhi for the Republic Day celebrations.
At the Adamya Chetana Seva Utsav here, Parrikar said, “It is quite obvious that defence deals will be finalised during Obama’s visit.”
“There are many things on the radar and we are working on the shape and size of these deals. We are facing issues in terms of technology, and these are being tackled. But I cannot divulge further details,” he added.
Speaking about the frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the border, Parrikar said the government will not take things lying down.
“Whenever there has been a ceasefire violation, we have responded with double vigour. The incident that took place recently was not an infiltration. It was a mere attempt. They attempt to fire at night so that terrorists can sneak in. But we have been alert and have given them a powerful response,” he said.
Several eminent engineers in the aeronautics and space sectors were felicitated on the occasion. They included former ISRO chairman U R Rao, HAL chairman R K Tyagi, Dr C G K Nair, DRDO’s Dr Tamilmani and others.
Union Chemical and Fertilizers Minister H N Ananth Kumar and Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and lexicographer G Venkatasubbaiah were among those present.