Maldivian Minister of Gender, Family and Social Service Shidhatha Shareef has congratulated the Indian Minister for Woman and Child Development, Smriti Irani.

Shidhatha congratulated Smriti in a tweet after she was appointed her ministerial position.

"Sincere congratulations and warmest wishes [Smriti Irani] on your appointment as Minister of Women and Child Development. Look forward to working closely in strengthening social services sector," she said in her tweet.

Smriti Irani became a household name in India years before she entered politics. After a successful career as a TV actress, Irani has finally achieved electoral success, and a grand one at that. She defeated Rahul Gandhi in the Congress bastion of Amethi to reach Lok Sabha for the first time.

Irani was part of the older Modi government too, and has retained Ministry of Textiles from her earlier stint. This time around, she has been given the crucial Ministry of Women and Child Development too.