Fairfax appoints former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant as senior advisor

Canadian financial services group Fairfax Financial Holdings on Friday said it has appointed former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant as a senior advisor.

Fairfax said Kant’s extensive expertise in economic development, innovation, and sustainable growth is expected to significantly benefit the company’s long-term investment approach in India.

“We are truly excited to welcome Amitabh to our Fairfax family,” Prem Watsa, chairman and CEO of Fairfax, said in a statement.

“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.”

Kant, a retired IAS officer, served as India’s G20 Sherpa during its presidency, culminating in the successful adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.

As CEO of NITI Aayog, he was instrumental in programmes such as the Aspirational Districts Programme, which uplifted some of India’s most disadvantaged regions, the company said. Kant also played a key role in initiatives including Make in India, Startup India, and the ‘Incredible India’ tourism campaign during his tenure as Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

Fairfax said it expects to leverage Kant’s leadership experience as India pursues its roadmap to become a developed economy by 2047 under the “Viksit Bharat” initiative.

“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,” it added.

The Toronto-headquartered company, which operates in property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, and investment management, has investments in sectors including infrastructure, financial services, logistics, and mobility in India through Fairfax India Holdings.