Nirmala Sitharaman takes charge as 26th Defense Minister, says Armed forces my first priority

She is the first woman Defense Minister in NDA cabinet and second only after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi

Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday took charge as the 26th Defense Minister of India following rituals at the South block office in presence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Sitharaman thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving such a critical portfolio. She said, ''Armed forces my first priority."

"Armed Forces' family is a priority. It's in their welfare soldiers are assured that their interests are being taken care of,'' said the Defense Minister.

She is the first woman Defense Minister in NDA cabinet and second only after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

As the Defence Minister, Sitharaman will be a member of the crucial Cabinet Committee on Security whose members include the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the External Affairs Minister and the Finance Minister

Finance MInister Arun Jaitley was holding the defense portfolio after Manohar Parrikar quit to become Chief Minister of Goa.

Sitharaman is one of four ministers elevated to cabinet rank on Sunday. She was minister of state for commerce - is seen to have gained in confidence in handling the ministry and has done well in multilateral negotiations, according to reports. She also made her mark as party spokesperson when the BJP was in the opposition.

(With agency inputs)