Jairam Ramesh is a highly erudite and eloquent Indian politician, economist, and policy expert who currently serves as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from Karnataka. His career is distinguished by prominent leadership roles in key ministries, giving him unparalleled, firsthand experience in shaping India’s agenda on critical issues like the economy, development, and the environment.
Defying the conventional image of a politician, Ramesh’s influence spans policymaking, media, and global diplomacy. He previously led the ministries for Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Environment and Forests. In his capacity as a policy expert, he served as an advisor to the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister on several critical issues. As Minister for Environment, he led India’s agenda at international forums, including the Climate Change Summits in Copenhagen (2009) and Cancun (2010).
His expertise is grounded in his service in institutions such as the Planning Commission of India and the Advisory Board on Energy. His work has been widely acknowledged by world leaders and global publications like Newsweek. He is a prolific columnist for major Indian newspapers, including The Times of India and The Telegraph, sometimes writing under the pen-name “Kautilya.” He also anchored popular television programs on business and the economy.
As a highly sought-after speaker, Jairam Ramesh is invited to share his perceptive and forthright insights on the economy, development, geo-political issues, and policy. His presentations draw on his acclaimed books, such as Green Signals: Ecology, Growth and Democracy in India and To the Brink and Back: India’s 1991 Story, providing audiences with a deep, strategic understanding of India's past, present, and future trajectory.
