nirmala sitharaman

The Congress and BJP on Friday were involved in a war of words following the Supreme Court's verdict on the PIL filed on the Rafale defence deal where it said that there was no case of commercial favouritism into the deal. While the BJP said that the apex court's verdict has exposed Congress's lies, the Congress insisted that it is going to continue with its campaign.

Modi had come in for a relentless attack from Congress President Rahul Gandhi who alleged corruption in procurement of the fighter jets for the IAF from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation, calling it a scam which allegedly benefitted industrialist Anil Ambani.

Sitharaman described her US visit as part of her endeavour to "take forward the bilateral defence cooperation". Noting that the India-US relationship in defence has acquired the dimensions of a strategic partnership over the last decade, she said that the two countries have made considerable progress.

​James Mattis brushed aside questions about India’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system, saying, “We'll work everything out, trust me." ​The threat of US sanctions had loomed when India had signed the $5 billion S-400 deal with Russia in October.

The sight of an elegantly saree-clad Nirmala Sitharaman (on her first visit to the US as India’s defense minister) paying tribute to American soldiers at the Arlington National Cemetery moved her US counterpart James Mattis.

US defence secretary James Mattis appeared to be confident in resolving the pending CAATSA sanctions on India for it decided to buy the multi-billion dollar S-400 missile defence system from Russia. "We will work everything out. Trust me," Mattis said. India needs a presidential waiver to get around the punitive CAATSA sanctions.

In a strong message to Pakistan, US defence secretary Jim Mattis said it is time for "every responsible nation" to support the efforts of UN, PM Narendra Modi and all those who are trying to maintain peace in South Asia. Pakistan must take on a substantive role in peace talks with Taliban if the war in neighbouring Afghanistan is to be ended, he said.

Asserting that 40 years is enough for every responsible nation to get on board with the South Asia peace process, US defence secretary Jim Mattis, in a strong message to Pakistan, said it is time for everyone to support the efforts of the UN, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan in this regard.

In her remarks at the start of her bilateral talks with the US Defence Secretary James Mattis at the Pentagon, Sitharaman said mutual trust and confidence in defence partnership between the two countries were growing. The defence minister added that she was encouraged by the importance attached to the India-US defence relationship in the new US National Security Strategy.

​Defence minister Sitharaman is currently on a five-day maiden trip to the US. While this is her first trip to Washington DC, the two leaders have met four times in about a year, reflecting on the growing defence relationship between India and the United States.

​Defence minister Sitharaman is currently on a five-day maiden trip to the US. While this is her first trip to Washington DC, the two leaders have met four times in about a year, reflecting on the growing defence relationship between India and the United States.

"The Defence Acquisition Council chaired by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman accorded approval for acquisition of defence equipment worth about Rs 3,000 crore," an official said. India is procuring two stealth frigates at a cost of $1 billion and both the ships will be equipped with indigenously developed BrahMos missiles.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday nudged the DRDO, the in-house R&D; branch of the defence ministry, to "introspect" and be more "nimble" towards innovation.

Seeking to "significantly enhance" the country's design capabilities in the defence segment, the government will next week launch a new initiative to ​boost the quantum of intellectual property in the sector, a top official said on Saturday.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Rahul Gandhi is "misguiding" people on the Rafale deal and advised him to approach her predecessor AK Antony of the Congress to understand the process of defence procurement. Gandhi has repeatedly alleged a mega scam in the deal.

Having realised the potential of protecting design and intellectual property, the defence ministry, which has been pushing for privatisation in production, is all set to kick-start a dedicated mission for the purpose. Mission Raksha Gyan will kick off in Bengaluru on Saturday.

From Make in India to the Rafale deal controversy and opening up the National Defence Academy to women, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has a conversation at ET awards.

Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, the chief guest at the Awards, said loan waivers were no solution and “free power means no power”.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said India cannot put pressure on French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation to share details of offset partners related to the Rafale deal just because the opposition wanted to know the same.

The trigger for the Army-police standoff at Bomdila was alleged misbehaviour with civilians by two Arunachal Scouts personnel at the Buddha Mahotsava on Nov 2. According to reports from the ground, the said Army personnel were not in uniform, but when confronted by a police constable posted there, allegedly objected by flashing their identity cards.

Union parliamentary affairs minister and senior BJP leader from Karnataka H N Ananth Kumar, who died on Monday in Bengaluru, was laid to arrest on Tuesday afternoon, with full state honours.

Workers in 41 ordinance factories, naval docks, army and air force workshops and other productions units will go on a massive strike between January 23-25. In the past three years, multiple protests have been carried out against the policies of the Centre. The major issue is the privatisation of defence production. These workers form the backbone of the defence services.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday pitched for dialogues between India and China on various issues, saying differences between the two nations should not be allowed to become disputes.

Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister, today dedicated the globally combat proven M777 A2 Ultra Light Howitzers, K-9 Vajra-Tracked Self Propelled Guns and 6x6 Field Artillery Tractors to the service of the Nation.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inducted three major artillery gun systems, including the M777 American Ultra Light Howitzers and the K-9 Vajra, into the Army. The third gun system inducted is the 'Composite Gun Towing Vehicle' for towing some of the existing guns in service with the country, while K-9 Vajra is a self-propelled artillery gun.

The chief minister directed the state police head to ensure all necessary steps are taken so that good relations with the armed forces are maintained.

The vice-chiefs will now be able to make decisions up to a limit of Rs 500 crore as the “competent financial authorities” under this greater delegation of financial powers. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman took this step to augment the arms and ammunition reserves of the armed forces and enhance their operational preparedness, explained ministry of defence.