AMN /

India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that India’s defence export is likely to double this year and called for tapping friendly countries to increase sale of military equipments. He said, defence export to friendly countries could help in strengthening relations with them.

Mr Parrikar was speaking at Global Business Forum organised by the IIT Alumni Association at Bambolim on the outskirts of Panaji.

The technocrat-turned-politician said that last year defence export amounted to only 630 crore rupees and this year it should exceed Rs 1,200 crore.

Mr Parrikar also spoke about the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Modi Government, which aims to establish the country as a global manufacturing hub.