Team Herald
PANJIM: On his maiden visit to the State after being appointed as the Union Minister of State for Defence, Shripad Naik has said that he will try to get several defence projects in Goa including the Defence Expo.
Speaking to media persons at the BJP office in Panjim, Shripad said that it is an honour for the state of Goa that after the former defence minister late Manohar Parrikar’s demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has enthrusted him with the responsibility in Defence Ministry.
Pitching to make the best use of his position in bringing investment and projects to Goa under the Defence Ministry, he said “Whatever is in the interest of the State, we will do it.”
Responding to a question on bringing back the Defence Expo to the state, he said “Definitely. Whatever is in the interest of the State will be done.”
Asked to comment on the defence projects that were supposed to be set up in the State and the projects which were awarded to the Goa Shipyard Limited, he said “Being a new minister I would not like to comment on it immediately. Let me study them first and then see how we can complete them in the best possible manner.”
Slating out the priorities of Defence Ministry he stated that containing cross border infiltration by militants is amongst the foremost things at the Ministry. “We have to be stern against militants from our neighbouring countries especially Pakistan and the government wants infiltration to stop and eliminate divisive forces,” he stated.
