Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar clarified that he had no plans to retire at 60. A section of the media had reported that he might hang his boots on December 13 after attaining the retirement age.
“My statement has been misinterpreted and twisted. I did not make any such statement on retirement,” said Parrikar on Monday.
The former Goa chief minister later tweeted: “At 60, normally people think of retirement and perhaps I would have also. But I had to take bigger responsibilities at the Centre and I assure you that I will come back only after finishing the task I am given.”
The BJP leader, who completed one year as defence minister this month, will travel to the US later this week on an official tour. He will leave for the US on December 4 and return on December 12, ahead of the Combined Commanders' Conference, which would be held for the first time on-board aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya on December 15.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the top commanders of the Army, Air Force and the Navy.
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