Montek Singh Ahluwalia played a key role in economic reforms that put India on a sustained, high-growth trajectory, before retiring in 2014 as deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, a cabinet-level position.
He continues to provide commentary on current events, such as suggestions for reforms to the Indian electricity subsidy system, global financial architecture and global development institutions.
In a recent visit to World Resources Institute, he presented to staff on how India can make its next economic transition, to high-efficiency, low-carbon growth—and addresses the vested interests that will need to be addressed before that transition can be made.
Afterwards, he stopped by our studio for an interview with Lawrence MacDonald, vice president for communications at WRI. Their conversation follows up on points made in Ahluwalia’s presentation, including the economic benefits of climate action—for example, how it can reduce water stress—and ventures further, for example into India’s carbon price and what U.S. advocates could learn from it.
“There is not adequate understanding that climate change will have negative consequences. It is helpful for us to anticipate those and to bear the costs of corrective action,” Ahluwalia says.
Listen to the podcast below:
