IMF economist Siddharth Tiwari likely be next CEA

Currently, he is the director of strategy, policy, and review at IMF

Eminent International Monetary Fund (IMF) economist Siddharth Tiwari, with about 25 years of experience at the multilateral agency, is likely to succeed Raghuram Rajan as the next chief economic advisor (CEA) in the finance ministry.

Tiwari, an Indian national, is the director of strategy, policy, and review at the IMF and has got vast experience of Asia & the Pacific, as well as Africa and Europe.

Though there is no official confirmation, officials said he was being considered after some other candidates did not show much interest, fearing a political change after next year’s elections, while some names were struck down by the finance minister.   

Tiwari could have his imprint on the mid-year economic analysis if his appointment happens this month, but due to an interim Budget in February, the economic survey is not likely to be tabled.

He is responsible for developing IMF's policies, overseeing their application at the country level, and coordinating IMF's interactions with the G-7, G-20, and G-24 blocs. He has also served as Secretary of the Fund (the executive board, International Monetary and Financial Committee, and the Board of Governors).

He served as Director of the Office of Budget and Planning; headed country operations in Africa; and the Managing Director’s office.

He is a Bachelor's in Economics from St Stephen's College, Master's in Economics from the London School of Economics; and a PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago.

“Mr Tiwari has the experience and skills to promote consensus building, which is a critical goal of the Board and Management. He is widely respected throughout the institution. He has a proven track record in managing a complex work programme,” then IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn had stated about Tiwari in 2009.

Earlier, the names of Ajay Chhibber from the Planning Commission, Jehangir Aziz from J P Morgan, Arvind Subramanian from the Center for Global Development, and Gita Gopinath from Harvard University were doing the rounds for the post that fell vacant in early September, when Rajan moved to the Reserve Bank of India as its Governor.

Though a CEA is appointed for a term of three years, officials said some contenders were wary that since the government would go for general elections next year, the CEA would be considered a political appointee and might not be preferred by the next government that comes to power.