Exit Policy: Want to work outside the government now, says G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant

G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Group of 20 (G20) sherpa Amitabh Kant was widely lauded for his role in clinching the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, getting a diverse set of G20 member nations to agree on a joint statement, particularly the language around the war in Ukraine.

Kant, who has held several key positions in government, such as chief executive officer of NITI Aayog (2016-2022) and the secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion (2014-2016), is considered to be a key driver of flagship national initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, and Incredible India.

But after around 44 years of service, Kant wants to work outside the government. In an interview with Moneycontrol, the sherpa said, “I have done lots of work in government. I think I should take a breather and work outside the government. There's life there too.”

Kant said that he wants to travel around India, play more golf, and take it easy. An author of three books, including one titled Incredible India 2.0, Kant said he will write another in due course.

Advising future negotiators to bank on research and forging alliances to get the job done, the bureaucrat signed off with a popular prescription – “You must maintain balance of life.”