New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday underscored the government's focus on national security, emphasising that it cannot be compromised, and managing "conflicting demands" remains the biggest challenge for any Finance Minister.

Addressing the Youth Dialogue on Budget 2026, the FM stressed that the country's defence preparedness cannot be compromised, citing Operation Sindoor as a result of continuous investment in defence over the last decade.

"The country's defence cannot be compromised. Operation Sindoor told you what kind of money spent in the last 10 years has come of help," Sitharaman said.

Recalling her earlier tenure as Defence Minister, Sitharaman said there was a time when soldiers lacked ba...