Surjit Bhalla

Surjit Bhalla
Bhalla at the first meeting of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, at NITI Aayog, in New Delhi
Nationality	Indian
Alma mater	Purdue University (BS) Princeton University (MPA, PhD)
Occupation(s)	Economist, author

Surjit Bhalla is a prominent Indian economist, author, and columnist with extensive experience in both the national and international economic policy arenas. His tenure as the Executive Director for India at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlights his global economic expertise and contributions to international financial discussions. Bhalla has also been an influential member of the Economic Advisory Council to the second Modi ministry, where his insights and analyses have played a crucial role in advising on economic matters facing India.

Throughout his career, Bhalla has held significant positions, including Chairperson for the High Level Advisory Group on Trade at the Ministry of Commerce and Economic Adviser to the Fifteenth Finance Commission of the Government of India. His involvement as a regular invitee to the Aspen Institute Program on World Economy in the USA since 2002 and as a Contributing Editor for the Indian Express since 2014 further underscores his engagement with economic discourse.

Bhalla's academic contributions are notable, having taught at the Delhi School of Economics and served in executive roles at leading think tanks like the Policy Group in New Delhi and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). His research career spans prestigious institutions such as the RAND Corporation, the Brookings Institution, and the World Bank. Furthermore, his consultancy roles and positions at Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs highlight his expertise in the financial sector.

As an author, Bhalla's work encompasses several books and over 1300 articles that delve into globalization, economic policy, and the socio-economic dynamics of India and the global economy. His notable publications include "Imagine There’s no Country" (2002), "Second Among Equals – The Middle Class Kingdoms of India and China" (2007), "Devaluing to Prosperity" (2012), "The New Wealth of Nations" (2017), and "Citizen Raj: Indian Elections 1952-2019", which provides an insightful analysis of Indian electoral politics.

Bhalla's academic credentials are solid, with a PhD in Economics from Princeton University, a Master in Public and International Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, and a BSEE degree from Purdue University. Residing in New Delhi, India, Bhalla continues to be an influential voice in economic policy and research, contributing significantly to the discourse on India's economic development and policies.

External links

• Official website