Excellent, well thought out decision: Parrikar on Sitharaman's appointment as Defence Minister

Panaji (Goa) [India], September 3 (ANI): Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday congratulated his party colleague Nirmala Sitharaman on being appointed the country's first full-fledged woman Defence Minister, saying an excellent and a well thought-out decision has been taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to ANI, Parrikar expressed confidence that Sitharaman will do justice to her post as the Defence Minister.

"It is an excellent and well thought out decision. Not only women is empowered, which is very close to the heart of the PM, but Nirmala is a very capable minister. She is a very analytical, knowledgeable and hard working person. So, defence ministry has got a very good minister, she will do justice to her job," he said.

"She is woman and we are very proud of her but at the same time she is equally hard working, capable, and intellectual," he added.

Earlier in the day, Parrikar took to Twitter to congratulate Sitharaman.

"Many congratulations to @nsitharaman Ji on becoming India's next & first full time woman Defence Minister. Wish her all the best," tweeted Parrikar.

Sitharaman is one of the four ministers elevated to the Cabinet rank earlier today.

Reportedly, while addressing the media Sitharaman ascribed her promotion to 'cosmic grace'.

"Somebody who hails from a small town, worked in the party with the support of the senior leadership, and if bestowed with such responsibility, it just makes you feel sometimes that cosmic grace is there. Else it is impossible," she said.

Sitharaman is the only the second woman to hold the post since former prime minister late Indira Gandhi. She had travelled to China for a BRICS meeting, in the middle of a lengthy standoff at the border over Doklam.

The 58-year-old takes over from Union Minister Arun Jaitley who heads the heavy-workload Finance Ministry. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI