Sonipat: Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, delivered the inaugural Dr Manmohan Singh Memorial Lecture at O.P. Jindal Global University on the theme "The Policy Agenda We Need for Viksit Bharat."

In a wide-ranging overview of the Indian economy and key decisions since the 1990s, Dr Ahluwalia discussed the past, present, and future of India's economic growth.

Dr Ahluwalia served as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission from July 2004 to May 2014 and has held several government positions, playing a key role in India's economic reforms since the mid-1980s. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2011 for his contributions to economic policy and public service.

Reflecting on the past, he said reforms in 1991 removed licensing hurdles and controlled exchange rates, noting that the gradual approach had both advantages and drawbacks. “Although economic growth improved, it was not on a scale comparable to China,” he said.

On the future, he highlighted India's role in the global economy. “We are the fastest-growing emerging market economy, but compared to China, India still has a long way to go,” he said. He emphasized the importance of structural reforms, foreign investment, legal and contract reforms, and strengthening intellectual property rights to sustain growth.

Prof. C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, said the lecture honoured Dr Manmohan Singh's legacy and highlighted Dr Ahluwalia's intellectual integrity and practical policy-making skills. Prof. R. Sudarshan, Dean of the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, noted the partnership of Dr Ahluwalia and Dr Singh as a blend of scholarship and practical governance.

Prof. Mrinalini Jha added that Dr Singh is remembered for transforming India's economy in 1991 and for strategic and social policy achievements as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014.