Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described NITI Aayog as a “vital pillar” of India’s policy-making architecture, underscoring its role in driving reforms, innovation and cooperative federalism.
Highlighting the contribution of the government’s apex policy think tank, Modi said it has played a significant role in strengthening governance and improving ease of living across the country.
“NITI Aayog has emerged as a vital pillar in India's policy-making architecture, fostering cooperative federalism, furthering reforms and boosting ‘Ease of Living’. It serves as a dynamic platform for innovation and long-term strategic thinking across sectors,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
The remarks came as the government reconstituted NITI Aayog, appointing Ashok Kumar Lahiri as its Vice Chairman.
“The Government has reconstituted the NITI Aayog. My best wishes to Shri Ashok Kumar Lahiri Ji on becoming the Vice Chairman. My best wishes also to Shri Rajiv Gauba Ji, Prof. K. V. Raju Ji, Prof. Gobardhan Das Ji, Prof. Abhay Karandikar Ji and Dr. M. Srinivas Ji on becoming Full Time Members of NITI Aayog. Wishing all of them a productive and impactful tenure ahead,” Modi said.
In a separate post, the Prime Minister said he met Lahiri and conveyed his confidence in the latter’s ability to strengthen India’s reform trajectory.
“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,” Modi said.
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Lahiri is amongst India's most experienced and senior economists with a career over four decades.
He has served multiple important roles across the policy spectrum, from the chief economic adviser to a Finance Commission member, and stints at the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and the IMF.
An alumnus of Delhi School of Economics and Presidency University, Lahiri has been a proud Kolkatan and a champion of the cause of West Bengal's development and progress, sources said.
Meanwhile, Das thanked the prime minister for allowing him to serve as a member of the Niti Aayog.
"Today is a very important day in my life… I am the son of an ordinary farmer family from the Dalit class in a remote village of West Bengal. Since childhood, the fragrance of the soil, the value of hard work, and the truth of struggle have been an integral part of my life. Today's responsibility is not just a position for me; it is a glimpse of the dreams, hopes, and beliefs of countless ordinary people like me," he said in a post on X in Hindi.
While details of the meeting were not officially disclosed, the interaction is seen as significant given NITI Aayog’s role in shaping economic policy and driving sectoral reforms.
The reconstituted body also includes several experts as full-time members, reflecting the government’s emphasis on strengthening institutional capacity and policy innovation.
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