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Please join Asia Society for a luncheon discussion with distinguished economist and Deputy Chairman of India’s Planning Commission, The Honorable Montek Singh Ahluwalia. Ahluwalia has been a key figure in India’s economic reforms from the mid-1980s onwards. For his outstanding contribution to economic policy and public service, he was conferred the prestigious 'Padma Vibhushan' by President of India in 2011. Ahluwalia will be joined in conversation with Vishakha Desai, President of the Asia Society, to discuss the future of India's economic policies.

Ahluwalia started his career in 1968 when he joined the World Bank and was named the youngest "Division Chief" at the age of 28. He joined the Government of India in 1979 as Economic Adviser in the Ministry of Finance after which he held a series of positions, including Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, Commerce Secretary, Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Finance Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, member of the Planning Commission, and member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. In this time he led the way for India’s economic liberalization through measures such as broad-banding of licenses and deregulation. In 2001, he was appointed as the first Director of the Independent Evaluation Office of the International Monetary Fund. He has been the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India since 2004.

Can’t make it to this sold-out program? Tune in to AsiaSociety.org/Live at 12:30 pm ET for a free live video webcast. Viewers are encouraged to submit questions to [email protected].