Government focussed on strengthening armed forces: Sitharaman

There would not be any dearth of efforts on the part of the government to strengthen the defence forces, she told a gathering of India Air Force personnel.

The 58-year-old defence minister said, "I am obeying Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directions to meet the jawans posted on the frontiers."

"I was in Goa earlier in the morning to flag off Indian Navy women crew's attempt to circumnavigate the globe and now have come to Utarlai Air Force base in Barmer," she said.

The newly-appointed defence minister said that Utarlai air base was important from the strategic point of view.

Sitharaman reached Utarlai air base on a special plane and was given guard of honour.'

She was received by Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa.