Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar late on Sunday said India was planning to export defense materials and training military personnel of at least 38 countries. "At least 38 countries are sending their defense personnel for training in India. We are encouraging them. We are giving them more slots. We are also considering supplying some sort of defense materials through export or through line of credit to the countries so that they can depend on India for their defense," Parrikar told.

When asked about the participation of China in these training, China is also participating in the exercise, Parrikar said, "We are yet to send invitation. It's an open matter. Once the list is prepared, you can know."

Parrikar said, India does not want to dominate any other country but increase its own strength through partnership and friendship. Defense Minister said, "We are organising a naval exercise in Vishakhapatnam where international fleet will participate. It will be a spectacular show of basic exercise of infrastructure." Parrikar said, "The defense ministry has already finalised the OROP (One Rank One Pension) scheme. However, certain financial and administrative procedures will be followed. The first positive thing is that it has been prepared properly. It involves an amount of about Rs 8,000 crore."

He said, "You cannot raise a regiment by caste or region. I would ensure that defense presence is felt more in Odisha so that you can get more people trained, get more people in the army and employment," he said.

By Premji