NEW YORK, April 18, 2016 — India’s Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley discusses his government’s Make in India program. Following his remarks, Jaitley joins a panel discussion with Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Arun Kumar Singh, CII President Naushad Forbes, and Shaktikanta Das, secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Indian Ministry of Finance. Asia Society Policy Institute President Kevin Rudd moderates the discussion. (45 min., 45 sec.)

The Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) are pleased to present a special address by Arun Jaitley, India’s Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting. A member of the Cabinet of India, Minister Jaitley holds the primary responsibility for managing India’s economy—which, as the fastest growing major economy in the world, is increasingly critical given the slowdown in the global economy.  

Minister Jaitley’s remarks will focus on the Indian Government’s Make in India program, which includes major new initiatives designed to facilitate investment, foster innovation, and build manufacturing infrastructure. Make in India is the centerpiece of Prime Minister Modi’s drive to create millions of jobs for India’s growing population. Additional speakers, including Ambassador of India to the U.S. Arun Kumar Singh; CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee; CII President Naushad Forbes; and Shaktikanta Das, Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Indian Ministry of Finance, will offer their insights on the state of the Indian economy. ASPI President Kevin Rudd will then engage the speakers in a discussion.

Keynote Speaker:

Arun Jaitley is the Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting in the Government of India. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he is also Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Indian parliament). He previously held the cabinet portfolios of Commerce and Industry, as well as Law and Justice in the National Democratic Alliance government from 1998 to 2004. From 2009 to 2014 he was Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. A lawyer by profession, he is a senior advocate in the Supreme Court and a former Additional Solicitor General of India. He also served as a member to the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank. He served as the General Secretary of the BJP in 2002 and then again in 2004. As the General Secretary, he managed eight assembly elections for the BJP. He was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 2012 for his third term.