Forbes’ 2024 list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women celebrates three Indian icons: Nirmala Sitharaman, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Their remarkable contributions reflect India’s growing influence across various sectors.
Nirmala Sitharaman – India’s Economic Leader
Ranked 28th, Nirmala Sitharaman continues her role as India’s Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs. As the first woman to hold these positions full-time since 2019, she manages the country’s $4 trillion economy. Her vision anticipates India becoming the third-largest global economy by 2027.
Sitharaman is also a strong advocate for women’s financial empowerment, supporting initiatives for entrepreneurship, credit access, and financial literacy. Before entering politics, she had notable stints with the BBC World Service and India’s National Commission for Women.
Roshni Nadar Malhotra – Leading HCL Technologies
At 81st on the list, Roshni Nadar Malhotra serves as the Chairperson of HCL Technologies and CEO of HCL Corporation. Under her leadership, the $12 billion tech giant has grown globally.
Beyond corporate achievements, she champions environmental conservation through The Habitats Trust and supports education via the Shiv Nadar Foundation. Her educational background includes journalism and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – Biopharma Pioneer
Ranked 82nd, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the visionary behind Biocon, a trailblazer in biopharmaceutical innovation. She has driven Biocon’s global expansion, including building one of Asia’s largest insulin facilities.
Recent highlights include Biocon Biologics’ $3.3 billion acquisition of Viatris’ biosimilars business and a successful IPO for Bicara Therapeutics. A philanthropist at heart, she donated $7.5 million for cancer research in 2019.
The Global Leaders at the Top
The top three positions on the Forbes 2024 Power List were secured by Ursula von der Leyen, Christine Lagarde, and Giorgia Meloni, emphasizing women’s leadership on a global scale.
These Indian achievers represent the strength and versatility of Indian women on the world stage, inspiring countless others to follow in their footsteps.
