NEW DELHI: After 45 years of dedicated service to the Indian government, Amitabh Kant — the bureaucrat behind some of modern India’s most transformative reforms — is stepping away from his official duties. In a deeply personal note shared online, Kant announced his resignation as India’s G20 Sherpa and reflected on a journey that shaped not just his own career, but also the trajectory of the nation’s development.
“India has always been, and will always be, Incredible. Humbled to have played a small role,” he wrote, summing up a career that has spanned continents, cabinets, crises, and countless innovations.
A Trusted Voice at the Global Table
Amitabh Kant’s most recent and visible role was as India’s G20 Sherpa, where he played a key role in steering the country’s leadership during the 2023 presidency. Under his watch, India achieved what many believed was impossible — unanimous consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, amid intense geopolitical divides.
“Despite complex global challenges, we achieved unanimous consensus… and refocused attention on key developmental issues,” he said.
Kant credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not just appointing him, but trusting him to drive initiatives that gave India a louder voice on the global stage.
“His vision, discipline & commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive India have been a constant source of inspiration.”
Among his proudest moments as Sherpa: ensuring the African Union’s inclusion into the G20, a landmark decision that aligned with India’s long-held advocacy for the Global South.
From Kerala’s Shores to National Reform
Kant’s journey didn’t start in a high-level office in Delhi — it began in Kerala, where he cut his administrative teeth working on local development campaigns. There, he learned the true power of grassroots governance.
“From the ‘God’s Own Country’ campaign to rejuvenating Calicut city by reviving Mananchira Maidan, removing vast encroachments, expanding Calicut Airport and working closely with the fishing community — these experiences shaped my career.”
Later, as a senior official in the Ministry of Tourism, he helped conceptualize and launch the now-iconic “Incredible India” campaign, based on his belief that travel and tourism had the greatest potential to generate jobs and growth.
“Born from the belief that travel & tourism has the best multiplier impact on jobs and growth.”
Architect of India’s Startup and Reform Ecosystem
As the CEO of NITI Aayog, Kant pushed policy innovation to new heights. He led the Aspirational Districts Programme, which changed the lives of citizens in 115 of India’s most underdeveloped regions. His tenure laid the groundwork for the country’s digital public infrastructure and launched ambitious policy missions like:
- Atal Innovation Mission
- Green Hydrogen Mission
- Advanced Chemistry Cells
- PLI manufacturing schemes
“These efforts positioned India as a leader in innovation and climate action.”
Before NITI Aayog, as Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Kant played a foundational role in Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, and Startup India — reforms that helped India jump 79 places in the World Bank rankings.
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Gratitude and New Horizons
Kant took a moment to thank those who supported him through his long career, especially senior leaders in the current administration:
“To my Ministers—Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman & Dr. S. Jaishankar & Principal Secretary to PM Shri P.K. Mishra—I am grateful for your guidance and support.”
To his wider network of colleagues, peers, and friends, he offered a warm note of appreciation:
“Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support.”
Now, as he transitions out of government service, Amitabh Kant is not slowing down. He’s looking ahead with a clear purpose: to continue shaping India’s future — this time from outside the bureaucracy.
“I now look forward to contributing to India’s transformational journey towards Viksit Bharat by supporting free enterprise, startups, think tanks, and academic institutions.”
In a world where public service often goes unacknowledged, Amitabh Kant’s story is a reminder of the change one individual can create — when vision meets execution, and when service meets purpose.
