Got success in reducing influence of IS among youth: Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said the Centre has achieved success in reducing the influence of terror outfit Islamic State (IS) among Indian youth.

“We are trying to reduce the numbers (of youths getting attracted towards the ideology of the IS) and we have achieved success in it,” Parrikar said when asked about influence of the IS on the Indian youth.

He was talking to reporters after inaugurating the first cable-stayed bridge on Ravi river at Basholi in Kathua district situated on Dunera-Basholi-Bhadharwah road. On a query related to alleged involvement of army personnel in a suspected espionage case involving Pakistan’s spy agency ISI, he said “we had to tighten the security (intelligence) which we have already done”.

In the light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two day visit to Russia and the impending defence deal, Parrikar said that India’s relationship with Russia is not new.

“We have never been away from Russia. Our relationship with Russia on the old contracts (Defence) were already there. Though new contracts were less but now they are taken care of,” the Defence Minister said.

While speaking at the function, he also said that this year the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completely come under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and its efficiency has increased.