Wednesday, 06/09/2017 16:29 (GMT+7)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has named Nirmala Sitharaman, a female legislator, as India’s Defence Minister.
Ms Sitharaman. (Source: http://athavaneng.com)
Ms Sitharaman was previously a Minister of State for Commerce and Industry. She was also a spokesperson for India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Sitharaman, 58, will become the second woman to hold the title, after Ms. Indira Gandhi.
Nirmala Sitharaman will be the first woman to handle the important portfolio in 35 years; India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had also held charge of the defence ministry.
Sitharaman will take over from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who held both portfolios but said last week he wanted to concentrate on the economy.
Ms. Sitharaman joins five other women in India’s Cabinet./.
Compiled by BTA