Change in the Defence Ministers of India

Following the state elections in Goa and with the BJP forming the new government there, Manohar Parrikar (above to the right), who had been India’s Defence Minister for just over two years, resigned on 13 March to return to his native state as Chief Minister. As was the case before Parrikar’s November 2014 appointment, the post of Defence Minister has been assumed again by Arun Jaitley (above to the left), who also heads the Ministries of Finance and Corporate Affairs. Mr Jaitley was sworn in on 14 March, and although the Government has not formally disclosed the duration of his term, it is understood that he will serve as an interim Minister until a full-time candidate is appointed ( see Viewpoint in this Issue).