Ashok Lahiri Meets PM Narendra Modi After Taking Charge As NITI Aayog Vice Chairman

Newly appointed Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Ashok Lahiri, held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, a day after assuming office.

The interaction marked Lahiri’s first official engagement in his new role. He later confirmed the meeting through a post on the social media platform X.

Prime Minister Modi also shared a message following the meeting, extending his wishes to Lahiri.

Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Met Shri Ashok Kumar Lahiri Ji and conveyed my best wishes on his being appointed as the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. His rich experience in economics and public policy will greatly strengthen India’s reform journey and the journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat. I am confident his efforts will further energise policymaking in our nation. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure.”

Lahiri has taken over the position from Suman Bery, who had been serving as Vice Chairman since May 2022.

In a related development, noted immunologist Gobardhan Das will likely join NITI Aayog as a member. His appointment, along with Lahiri’s, highlights increased representation from West Bengal in the country’s top policy advisory body.

Das, who previously headed the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal and has been associated with Jawaharlal Nehru University, had also contested the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Lahiri, currently an MLA from Balurghat in West Bengal, brings extensive experience in economic policy. Over a career spanning several decades, he has held key roles including Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India and positions at institutions such as the Delhi School of Economics, Asian Development Bank, Bandhan Bank, and the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.

His international exposure includes work with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

An alumnus of Presidency University Kolkata, Lahiri has established himself as a senior figure in India’s economic policy landscape.

Political circles also view the appointments as an effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The move aims to highlight contributions from West Bengal. The party faces strong competition there from the All India Trinamool Congress.

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