Amitabh Kant, India’s distinguished G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog, has officially stepped down from government service after an illustrious career spanning 45 years. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the trust reposed in him, Kant shared his decision to explore new opportunities and contribute to India’s transformational journey as a free enterprise supporter.
Leading India’s prestigious G20 Presidency in 2023, Kant played a pivotal role in securing a historic consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, emphasizing inclusive development and global equity. Under his leadership, India’s presidency celebrated local culture, upgraded infrastructure, and welcomed the African Union as a permanent G20 member—a testament to India’s commitment to the Global South.
During his tenure as CEO of NITI Aayog, Kant spearheaded transformational initiatives such as the Aspirational Districts Programme, the Atal Innovation Mission, and the Green Hydrogen Mission—all crucial in positioning India as a global leader in innovation and climate action.
He also played a key role in driving economic reforms as Secretary, Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion, championing initiatives like Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, and Startup India, resulting in India’s impressive leap of 79 places in the World Bank rankings.
Amitabh Kant’s journey began in Kerala with the ‘God’s Own Country’ campaign and later included the launch of the iconic ‘Incredible India’ campaign, shaping India’s tourism sector globally.
In his farewell message, Kant thanked key ministers including Nirmala Sitharaman, Dr. S. Jaishankar, and P.K. Mishra, along with colleagues and mentors, for their support. Looking ahead, he pledged to promote Viksit Bharat through enterprise, think tanks, startups, and academic collaborations.
