• A distinct identity of Finance Minister Sitharaman’s policies


• The digital economy has gained strength


• Sitharaman won Modi’s trust

Seven Budgets, One Vision: A question keeps coming up in the corridors of Indian politics and economics. What makes Nirmala Sitharaman the most trusted face in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic team? Sitharaman, who is on track to set a record by presenting the budget for the seventh time in a row, has emerged not just as finance minister but as the “chief architect” of the Modi government’s economic policies. Ahead of Budget 2026, let’s understand the pillars of his financial management that have won PM Modi’s unwavering trust.

1. Commitment to fiscal discipline

The most important strength of Nirmala Sitharaman’s tenure is fiscal discipline. With economies around the world collapsing under the pressure of populist slogans, Sitharaman insisted on keeping India’s fiscal deficit under control. By implementing Prime Minister Modi’s approach of “good governance”, he ensured that the government did not fall into a debt trap. They remained firm on their roadmap to reduce the fiscal deficit to 4.5% of GDP by 2025-26.

2. Opportunity in Disaster: Managing Covid-19

The biggest test of Prime Minister Modi’s faith was during the Kovid-19 pandemic. With the global economy collapsing, Sitharaman not only provided a safety net for the poor but also kept the supply chain going through the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” package. Due to his policies, India is the fifth largest economy in the world today and is poised to become the third soon. His emphasis on capital expenditure laid the foundations for the modernization of Indian infrastructure.

3. Courage to make tough decisions

Nirmala Sitharaman is known for her no-nonsense approach. Whether it was a historic cut in corporate taxes or a merger of the banking sector, he implemented reforms that were overdue for decades. Prime Minister Modi needed a finance minister who would not stall economic reforms amid political turmoil, and Sitharaman fully met the criteria.

4. Transparency and Digital Economy

Sitharaman’s ministry has been instrumental in the continued record growth in GST collections and expansion of Digital Payments (UPI). To realize Modi’s dream of a corruption-free economy, he strengthened Faceless Assessment and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), to ensure that funds from government schemes reach the beneficiaries directly.

As the country looks towards the goal of ‘Developed India’ in Budget 2026, Nirmala Sitharaman’s experience and Prime Minister Modi’s trust in her provide stability to the Indian economy. Their partnership has proven that a combination of sound economic principles and political will can overcome even the toughest global challenges.