Govt invites Bhagwati to discuss structural reforms

The theme of the Conclave, to be held on Dec 10-11, is 'Structural reforms and growth'

Noted economist Jagdish Bhagwati, who has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and squabbled with Nobel laureate Amartya Sen over the Gujarat model of growth, has been invited by the government to speak at the Delhi Economics Conclave.

The theme of the Conclave, to be held here on December 10-11, is ‘Structural reforms and growth’. After the economy grew below five per cent in 2012-13 and 2013-14, investors have built high hopes on the current government, to introduce reforms and push both growth and employment.

“There will also be other eminent economists and speakers from India and abroad, including Eswar Prasad from Cornell University, to discuss various aspects of structural reforms,” said a government official who did not wish to be identified.

Bhagwati, professor of economics and law at Columbia University, was scheduled to give a plenary lecture at last year’s programme under the previous government but cancelled his visit on health grounds. The theme of the December 2013 conclave was ‘Agenda for the next five years’. A debacle for the ruling Congress in five legislative Assembly elections just three days before the conclave made the topic a little irrelevant for the then government and invitees. Those results gave early indications that the rival National Democratic Alliance, now in power, might form the next government at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections in May 2014.

It is learnt the government had invited Bhagwati in 2012 as well but he had declined to be a part of the Conclave at that time.

His visits always evoke interest in India. Before the general elections last year, Bhagwati had said he would not vote for Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi or for Modi. However, he has expressed admiration for Gujarat's development under Modi, which had led to an argument with Sen on the subject. It was widely believed he'd get a role in the Modi government.

Recently again in a TV interview, the New York-based economist had praised Modi for a practical approach to trade and investment.