A historic day with two women in Cabinet Committee on Security: Nirmala Sitharaman

Nirmala Sitharaman spoke to ET after being sworn in.

ON BEING THE FIRST FULL-TIME DEFENCE MINISTER
At the moment, I am overwhelmed by this decision. I am also humbled by this decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party president Amit Shah ji and all our senior colleagues — including Sushma ji, Rajnath ji and Jaitley ji — who have vested that much of trust in me. I will definitely seek their cooperation and guidance. It will be difficult to fill in the shoes of Shri Arun Jaitley, who has had two stints (as defence minister). With his guidance and the guidance of all the senior colleagues, I will definitely be able to do this. It is a historic day and it has still not sunk into me.

TAKING INDIA-JAPAN TIES FORWARD
The message that the country has given to the whole world is that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will have two women. It is a very proud moment for India and I am very grateful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given me the responsibility.

ON KEY CHALLENGES
It is too early for me to talk. I will be guided by Arun Jaitley ji and prime minister to make sure that I give my best. I commit my full time and attention to go into every detail which is required so that defence of this country is given top priority.

ON CONVERSATION WITH JAITLEY
I have seen him today and have spoken to him… As defence minister, there is an engagement that he had to keep up with Japan. Today being a Sunday I have not taken charge to participate in a dialogue which was planned several months in advance…In order to work out how this has to be handled, I met Arun Jaitley ji who spoke to me along with the defence secretary. Today’s meeting was to sort out how the India-Japan talks, which take place tomorrow and the day after, have to be handled in the current situation where I am yet to take charge.

ON SURESH PRABHU AS THE NEW COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER
Shri Suresh Prabhu is a very senior colleague of mine, very experienced, a trained chartered accountant with a lot of international exposure. Before 2014, he had been working with a lot of international organisations in being Sherpa to a lot of groups and engaging with them. So, I wouldn't think he would need me to tell him what are the important things in commerce ministry, but of course the review of the Foreign Trade Policy is going on. It was almost on the verge of completion. I'm sure he'll take to the ministry like fish to water. On the impact of robotics and artificial intelligence, we have appointed a committee which will go through the implications of these on our industry. Together with that, we are also trying to review our manufacturing policy and industrial policy and trying to frame a new industrial policy in the context of making India a manufacturing hub. I’m sure Suresh Prabhu will very seamlessly get into the ministry.