Nirmala Sitharaman

“Delhi was not completely a new place for me, but as a political worker, it was a new place.”

“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.”

“I will be the defence minister round-the-clock.”

“For me, representing India, as much as I can give, I need reciprocal things to be given to me. If I am willing to offer tariff concessions on goods, I want something to be offered by them to boost India's services.”

“The government's intention is to function, to have debates in Parliament, and to work in the interest of the people.”

“We look at gold from the view of the Indian market, which loves to buy more and more gold.”

“DRDO should introspect to make themselves more nimble towards innovation.”

“There is something different between defence deal and deal in defence.”

“We value our relationship with U.S.A. and are engaged with them at various levels.”

“A new procurement policy had to be brought in 2016. Subsequent to it, procurement has gone up rapidly.”

“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.”

“Bilaterals are like building blocks for multilaterals.”

“Issues related to investor-state disputes are a matter of serious concern. It is something which we have to apply our minds to.”

“WTO is the only multilateral system in which developed and developing countries sit together at par.”

“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.”