Amitabh Kant Resigns as G20 Sherpa, Begins New Chapter After 45 Years in Government Service

Amitabh Kant has officially stepped down from his role as India’s G20 Sherpa, marking the conclusion of his 45-year journey in government service.

Having previously served as the CEO of NITI Aayog, Kant represented India at the G20 since 2022, playing a pivotal role during the nation’s presidency in 2023.

Announcing his resignation on social media, he shared that he now plans to collaborate with startups, think tanks, and academic institutions in his personal capacity.

Posting on LinkedIn, Kant wrote, “After 45 years of dedicated service to the Government, I have decided to embrace new opportunities and begin a new chapter. I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for accepting my resignation as India’s G20 Sherpa and for the trust he placed in me to drive developmental initiatives that shaped India’s growth trajectory.”

He also acknowledged the support of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P.K. Mishra, expressing appreciation for their guidance throughout his career.

Key Roles in Indian Governance

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Kant reiterated his gratitude. “I am incredibly thankful to the Prime Minister of India for accepting my resignation as G20 Sherpa and for having given me the opportunity to drive a range of developmental initiatives and contribute to the growth, development, and progress of India.

I am grateful to all my colleagues, peers and friends for their patience, understanding, and support,” he posted.

Reflecting on G20 Leadership

Kant described leading India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 as a major highlight of his career.

“Despite complex global challenges, we achieved unanimous consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, and refocused attention on key developmental issues,” he shared in his LinkedIn post.

He noted that India’s presidency was inclusive and people-focused, enhancing cooperative federalism and promoting local culture while upgrading infrastructure across the country.

He also highlighted the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 as a fulfillment of India’s commitment to global equity and representation of the Global South.

Pioneering Initiatives at NITI Aayog

During his time at NITI Aayog, Kant led several transformative programs, including the Aspirational Districts Programme, which aimed to uplift 115 underdeveloped districts.

He emphasized efforts to build India’s digital public infrastructure and push forward major policy reforms.

These included Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for manufacturing, the Atal Innovation Mission, the Green Hydrogen Mission, and the Advanced Chemistry Cells initiative.

“These efforts positioned India as a leader in innovation and climate action,” he wrote. Kant was instrumental in national flagship programs like Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, Startup India, and the Incredible India tourism campaign.

Roots in Grassroots Governance

Kant also reflected on the early stages of his career in Kerala. There, he worked on grassroots development through initiatives such as the “God’s Own Country” tourism campaign and civic projects in Calicut.

These experiences, including expanding the Calicut airport and aiding the fishing community, helped shape his approach to public service.

At the Ministry of Tourism, he helped launch the “Incredible India” campaign, which was rooted in the belief that travel and tourism can significantly contribute to job creation and economic growth.

Looking Ahead to Viksit Bharat

Concluding his remarks, Kant stated, “I now look forward to India’s transformational journey towards Viksit Bharat by supporting free enterprise, Startups, think tanks and academic institutions. India has always been, and will always be, Incredible. Humbled to have played a small role. Thank you for being part of this journey.”