‘Adding Momentum To Strong, Self-Reliant India’: PM Modi Wishes Nirmala Sitharaman

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended birthday wishes to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and praised her contribution to economic reforms and development, saying she is helping advance India’s goal of becoming stronger and more self-reliant.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Best wishes to FM Nirmala Sitharaman Ji on her birthday. With her emphasis on reforms and economic development, she is adding momentum to our endeavour of being a strong and self-reliant India. May she be blessed with a long and healthy life.”

Best wishes to FM Nirmala Sitharaman Ji on her birthday. With her emphasis on reforms and economic development, she is adding momentum to our endeavour of being a strong and self-reliant India. May she be blessed with a long and healthy life.@nsitharaman

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2026

Sitharaman has served as Finance Minister and Minister of Corporate Affairs since 2019. She is a Rajya Sabha member, representing Karnataka since 2016, after previously representing Andhra Pradesh.

Before taking charge of the Finance Ministry, Sitharaman served as Defence Minister from 2017 to 2019. She became the second woman after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to hold the portfolio and the first full-time woman Defence Minister.

Sitharaman entered the Union government in 2014 as Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs. She later served as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Industry before joining the Cabinet.

Sitharaman began her BJP political career in 2006 and became the party’s National Spokesperson in 2010. She entered the Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh in 2014 and later represented Karnataka.

Born on August 18, 1959, in Madurai, Sitharaman studied economics at Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College and later earned her Master’s and M.Phil in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She took charge as Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister on May 31, 2019, becoming India’s first full-time woman Finance Minister. She presented her first Union Budget on July 5, 2019.

Sitharaman has featured among Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women, ranking 36th in 2022 and 32nd in 2023.

Fortune has recognised her as India’s most powerful woman.

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