Economist Ashok Lahiri has been appointed as the new Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog by the Centre, succeeding Suman Bery. Following his appointment, Lahiri met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

During their meeting, Prime Minister Modi extended his best wishes to Lahiri and the other newly appointed full-time members of NITI Aayog. Modi emphasized that NITI Aayog is a crucial pillar in India's policymaking, promoting cooperative federalism, driving reforms, and enhancing the "Ease of Living".

He expressed confidence that Lahiri's extensive experience in economics and public policy would significantly strengthen India's reform journey and its path towards becoming a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India). Lahiri, a former Chief Economic Advisor and a current BJP MLA from West Bengal, expressed his commitment to fulfilling PM Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047, highlighting the importance of effective policymaking.

His appointment is part of a significant revamp of the NITI Aayog, which also includes the induction of four new full-time members: economist K.V. Raju, AIIMS director M. Srinivas, Science and Technology Department Secretary Abhay Karandikar, and IISER Bhopal director Gobardhan Das.