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Fairfax appoints former Niti Aayog Chief Amitabh Kant as Senior Advisor

The company views Kant's unparalleled experience in the Indian public sector as a key asset.

Amitabh Kant was Niti Aayog's CEO from 2016 to 2022 / Amitabh Kant website

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a Toronto based insurance company,  has appointed Amitabh Kant as a Senior Advisor to Fairfax.

Kant, the former CEO of Niti Aayog, has extensive expertise in economic development, innovation, and sustainable growth. He is expected to benefit Fairfax’s long-term investment approach in India, as per a statement issued by the company.

As India continues to pursue 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 in and benefit from the “Viksit Bharat” initiative, which aims to help India transition from a $4 trillion economy to a $30+ trillion powerhouse.

Kant was a key figure during India’s G20 presidency, culminating in the historic New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration that emphasised digital public infrastructure, climate finance, and multilateral reform, and he has demonstrated an ability to unify diverse stakeholders around common development goals.

As CEO of NITI Aayog, he was a driving force behind the Aspirational Districts Programme, which uplifted some of India’s most disadvantaged regions.

His tenure as Secretary of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) saw pivotal reforms including the Make in India and Startup India campaigns, significantly improving Ease of Doing Business rankings by 79 places. 

In a statement to Global Newswire, Prem Watsa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax said, “We are truly excited to welcome Amitabh to our Fairfax family. As his experience shows, 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."

He added, "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.”

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