Panaji, Nov 13 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as one of the jewels of his cabinet, who worked tirelessly resolving long-drawn contentious issues.

"When it comes to Akbar, they say his team had nine jewels and his rule was praised because of their calibre. I am grateful that I also have many jewels in my team.

"But among them a bright jewel was given by Goa and that jewel is called Manohar Parrikar," Modi said, speaking at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium near Panaji where he digitally laid the foundation for a new greenfield airport and an electronic city in north Goa.

Parrikar was a former Chief Minister of Goa, a state which heads for elections in early 2017.

"After many years, the country has got a Defence Minister who has solved problems of the armed forces which were pending for over 40 years. He has worked tirelessly," Modi said.

"The One Rank One Pension issue, which was leaving our soldiers in limbo, was resolved after 40 years by Manohar Parrikar. There was no Defence Minister in the past at whom a finger was not raised.

"Now we are taking quick decisions, safeguarding India's interests and in two and a half years no one has raised a finger on the functioning of the Defence Ministry," Modi added.