Latest news with #AmitabhKant
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Amitabh Kant joins Canada's Fairfax as adviser after stepping down as India's G20 Sherpa
New Delhi: Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd has hired India's former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant as a senior adviser, as the Canadian investment firm looks to tap more opportunities in India. Kant's track record in transformative government initiatives related to economic development, innovation, and sustainable growth will benefit Fairfax's long-term investment approach in India, the company said. Fairfax expects to participate in and benefit from India's 'Viksit Bharat' initiatives towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, transitioning from a $4 trillion economy to a $30 trillion-plus powerhouse, the investment firm said in a statement. 'In this context, leveraging Kant's extensive experience in spearheading large-scale development initiatives spanning digital infrastructure, urban renewal, industrial reforms, and tourism, is expected to bring significant value to Fairfax and its affiliates,' the company said in its statement. Fairfax Financial Holdings is primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, and associated investment management through subsidiaries. Fairfax and its affiliate Fairfax India Holdings Corp. have invested in infrastructure, urbanisation, financial services, logistics, and mobility in India, said the firm, which has backed Go Digit General Insurance Ltd and Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. After stepping down as India's G20 Sherpa earlier this month, Kant said in a social media post on 16 June that he looked forward to India's transformational journey towards 'Viksit Bharat' by supporting free enterprise, startups, think tanks, and academic institutions, as Mint reported. As India's G20 Sherpa, Kant was instrumental in forging consensus among world leaders in 2023 during India's G20 presidency for the signing of the 'New Delhi declaration' despite sharp geopolitical rifts. Fairfax said Kant has demonstrated an ability to unify diverse stakeholders around common development goals. Previously, as chief executive of NITI Aayog, the Indian government think tank, Kant was a driving force behind the aspirational districts programme, which uplifted some of India's most disadvantaged regions, Fairfax said. 'As his experience shows, Amitabh has outstanding experience in many of the key areas that India intends to grow significantly in the coming years, but what we really value is his high integrity and alignment with the values of Fairfax,' Prem Watsa, chairman and CEO of Fairfax, said in the statement.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Amitabh Kant joins Fairfax as senior advisor after G20 Sherpa role
Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited on Friday announced that it has appointed Amitabh Kant, the former G20 Sherpa, as a senior advisor. In a statement, which is owned by Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa, Fairfax said that former G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant's extensive expertise in economic development, innovation, and sustainable growth is expected to significantly benefit the company's long-term investment approach in India. It further stated that with Kant's industry insights and leadership experience, Fairfax will continue identifying and executing on opportunities within the region. 'As India is pursuing an ambitious roadmap toward becoming a developed economy by 2047, Fairfax expects many opportunities for it and its affiliates, including Fairfax India Holdings Corporation (Fairfax India) to participate and benefit from the 'Viksit Bharat' initiative, which aims to help India transition from a $4 trillion economy to a $30-plus trillion powerhouse,' Watsa said. Commenting on the appointment of Amitabh Kant as a senior advisor, Fairfax Chairman and CEO Prem Watsa said Amitabh had outstanding experience in many of the key areas where India aimed to grow significantly in the coming years. '…what we really value is his high integrity and alignment with the values of Fairfax. We look forward to working with him to further enhance Fairfax's long-term objectives, delivering lasting value for our investors and stakeholders, while upholding our core values of honesty, transparency, and entrepreneurial spirit,' Watsa said. The news comes days after Kant stepped down from his role as India's G20 Sherpa, thereby marking an end to a 45-year career in government at various positions. He announced on LinkedIn, adding that he is ready to embrace new opportunities. Kant was India's G20 Sherpa for the 2023 Summit that took place in New Delhi. In the run-up to the summit, Kant worked towards building international consensus on key issues. He was also the longest-serving CEO of NITI Aayog, where he served from 2016 to 2022. NITI Aayog is India's official policy think tank. Kant has previously worked as the Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion between 2014 and 2016, where he was a key driver of flagship national initiatives like 'Startup India' and 'Make in India'.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Kant joins Fairfax as senior adviser
NEW DELHI: Fairfax Financial Holdings on Thursday named former civil servant Amitabh Kant as a senior advisor. Kant, who recently stepped down as India's G20 sherpa, will help Fairfax India pursue its plans in the country. "Amitabh has outstanding experience in many of the key areas that India intends to grow significantly in coming years, but what we really value is his high integrity and alignment with the values of Fairfax. We look forward to working with him to further enhance Fairfax's long-term objectives, delivering lasting value for our investors and stakeholders, while upholding our core values of honesty, transparency and entrepreneurial spirit. " Fairfax chairman and chief executive officer Prem Watsa said in a statement. At the end of Dec 2024, Fairfax's investments in India were valued at $3.6 billion. During his 45 years in govt, Kant has worked across ministries, ranging from commerce and tourism to industry and infrastructure. In his role as Niti Aayog CEO, he had co-ordinated with ministries and was involved with key projects, including the launch of UPI, disinvestment of Air India and other public sector companies and several green initiatives. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
People centric development must extend beyond New Delhi: CRF
People centric development must extend beyond Delhi as India is not one city, or one region—the different regions have different demands and voices, which must be heard and addressed, was a key suggestion put forward by the Chintan Research Foundation ( CRF ). The suggestion was put forward by Pranav Adani , Director of Adani Enterprises , on Thursday as Chintan Research Foundation (CRF), an independent think tank supported by Adani Group celebrated its first Foundation Day in New Delhi. The event witnessed an overwhelming presence of ambassadors, bureaucrats, journalists, fellow think tanks, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders to share the idea of the multi-faceted role that think tanks play in India. Speaking at the event, Pranav Adani voiced the crucial role that think tanks play being part of the development aspirations of India's journey and how CRF contributes to this with the mantra of 'growth with goodness'. He stated, "Policy is not abstract. It is personal. And, the growth must be measured not just in numbers, but in the lives that we touch, the lives we help improve. And this is CRF's mission — to drive change and contribute to India's rise in a way that uplifts every section of society and helps shape a Viksit Bharat .' Talking about India's transformation and Viksit Bharat, Amitabh Kant, India's former G20 Sherpa and CEO, NITI Aayog, echoed that CRF will be part of this transformation and appreciated the research work that CRF has done and continues to do so. To realize this vision, he emphasised the need of think tanks to provide constructive feedback to the government. He stated, 'India-based think tanks must aim to build an ecosystem of intellectual collaboration, where systemic thinking, evidence-based policy, creative problem-solving, and constructive criticism becomes the norm across sectors.' Only by continually asking where we stand and where we must act, India can effectively chart the future. This reflective inquiry has become a mission for CRF. Shishir Priyadarshi, President CRF highlighted a powerful conviction in the celebration, 'Think tanks must be more than silent observers and should create a space for a better, more inclusive, and more sustainable world where every voice resonates and drives action to lead a meaningful change for people-centric development.' For this he emphasised that think tanks must ask the tough questions-to the policymakers, to the government, and to the civil society. CRF has been doing extensive research on critical issues faced by the citizens including climate change, energy transition, economy, trade, investment, geopolitics, and strategic affairs. Here the uniqueness of CRF also lies in its approach as it integrates policy insights with industry realities while fostering connections between the government, industry, and citizens. Additionally, the speakers highlighted the significance of think tanks in reimagining India's role in shaping the future, particularly in relation to the Global South. For this, it is crucial for India tounderstand the reality, and focus on key areas - climate change, equitable energy transition, the global economy, critical supply chains, trade, and the overarching geopolitics through evidence-based research. Speakers and participants agreed that think tanks across India need to collaborate and prioritize objectivity, sustainability, and people-centric, data-driven solutions to address pressing policy challenges. CRF, as one of these entities, is committed to elevate ideas and empower people, and is poised to chart its role in India and the Global South.
NDTV
19-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
"Let's Collaborate Deeply": Pranav Adani As Chintan Research Foundation Celebrates 1st Foundation Day
New Delhi: Chintan Research Foundation (CRF), the think tank of the Adani Group, celebrated its first Foundation Day on Thursday in Delhi. The CRF focuses on critical areas such as energy transition, climate change, economics and trade, and geopolitics and strategic affairs. The foundation aims to foster dialogue, strategy, and impact in these fields. Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant delivered the keynote address and praised CRF's research efforts. The Foundation Day event is a significant milestone for the CRF as it marks the beginning of its operations and its commitment to engaging with key stakeholders in shaping policy and promoting India's role on the global stage. Adani Enterprises Director Pranav Adani, addressing the event, said, "For three decades now, the Adani Group has been driving growth and accelerating innovation by entering the toughest and the most critical infrastructure sectors of our nation." "... As planned, the CRF's research focuses on crucial issues like climate change, equitable energy transition, the evolving global economy, crucial supply chains and dynamic trade relations, and the overreaching geopolitics that shape the future of the world," Mr Adani said in his address. "We see the CRF working on the same lines, entering critical areas of research, deliberation, recommendation and impact, while upholding independence and editorial integrity. And we continue to foster the CRF as an institution where entrepreneurs and policy makers, trade negotiators and local innovators, academics and artisans all find a common cause," he added. Mr Adani said some of the objectives to collectively address are in line with India's stature as a thought leader for the world in a growing number of areas. "Let us collaborate deeply. Among the esteemed guests today, I see representations of major Indian think tanks who have greatly contributed to our country's growth, story and systematic development. I would very much like to see the result of all of us working with each other. This will ensure immense value addition and no duplication of work," he said. "... India is not only Delhi or the capital cities, but India really lives in the heartland, which is why I said in my speech that whether it is Raipur, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar or the North East, what really matters is this is where the real India lives and this is where we want them to come in into our focus, into our central economy, so with that in mind, I think that is where the real India lives. I think India is right now in a very great situation. I think this 1.4 billion people that we have is our real asset," he said. The CRF conducts in-depth policy and sectoral analysis, engaging with policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders through discussions, events, and publications.
