Arvind Subramanian, appointed as India's Chief Economic Advisor, is one of the most innovative and independent thinkers, according to a top US-based think tank.
"Since joining the Institute in 2007, Arvind has been one of the most innovative and independent thinkers about trade and growth in the world, and has been the leading constructive critic of Indian economic policy," said Adam S Posen, President of the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), where Subramanian is a senior fellow.
Before being appointed as the Chief Economic Advisor, Subramanian was the Institute's Dennis Weatherstone Senior Fellow.
Prolific author of many books, scholarly papers, and op-ed columns about Indian economic policy, international trade and long-run growth, Subramanian will take a leave of absence from PIIE while serving in the Finance Ministry of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took office in May of this year.
"Arvind's work and now his appointment as India's CEA exemplify what we at the Peterson Institute seek to achieve: contributing relevant, credible and brave analytically-based policy proposals to meet the economic challenges top policymakers face," Posen said.
"His press commentary and congressional testimony have increased understanding in the US of and for the gap between India's economic potential and performance. We will miss Arvind's ever-stimulating presence greatly during his leave, but are truly delighted that he will contribute to the success of India and globalisation with his public service," he said.
Subramanian said, "While I will miss tremendously my amazing colleagues and the intellectually stimulating atmosphere of the Institute, I am honored and privileged to have been offered this opportunity to serve India and the new government with its mandate for transforming India and realising its limitless potential."
As CEA, Subramanian will have multiple tasks, including analysing and advising on macro-economic and other policies and preparing the annual Economic Survey which evaluates the state of India's economy.
He recently testified before the US Congress, US Trade Representative and US International Trade Commission on US-India economic relations and India's trade and economic policies.
Currently, he is completing a book with C Fred Bergsten which PIIE plans to publish next year on deepening India-US economic cooperation.
Subramanian is also a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development (CGD), a top American think tank on economic issues.
Subramanian is more than just a mainstream macro- economist and is a creative thinker, Nancy Birdsall, President of CGD, said yesterday.
