CAPTAINS STEERING THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC ENGINE

Even as major economic ministries such as finance and commerce did not see any changes in their respective ministers, some new names in strategically important ministries have been added to the new Cabinet. We look at major issues and challenges these ministers may need to address in the shortand medium-term. The task in hand would be tougher for the ministers this time around given the coalition compulsions

Piyush Goyal, Min of Commerce, Industries

PIYUSH GOYAL will take charge of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry for the second straight time. Goyal, who has worn many hats as minister, has his work cut out in his new stint. The primary being reviving the country's manufacturing sector. Despite its Make in India initiative, the government failed to meet the target of increasing share of manufacturing to 25% and creating 100 million jobs by 2020. It had to shift this goalpost to 2025. In addition, implementing free trade agreements (FTAS) with various countries that were on the cards could prove to be challenging for the coalition government because of potential disagreements. Besides this, slowing foreign direct investment (FDI) is a key challenge the minister will have to address in his second stint as the commerce and industries minister. Among others, rising trade deficit with China remains a challenge.

Sarbananda Sonowal, shipping minister

SARBANANDA SONOWAL will repeat his term for the second time as ports, shipping and waterways minister under the Modi 3.0 regime. He was the minister of state (independent charge) of youth affairs and sports in the first Modi government from 2014 to 2016. As a shipping minister, completion of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor, his being one of the nodal ministries, would be the biggest challenge for the minister amid ever changing geopolitical tensions. Completion of the SagarMala project - which seeks to enhance the performance of the logistics sector by leveraging coastal and waterway transportation - would be another key performance Indicator for the minister. Sonowal will also have to make policies which can address climate issues including rising temperatures and sea levels.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, electronics & IT minister