Ajay Khanna is a pioneering figure in public policy, public affairs, and advocacy in India, with
over four decades of leadership at the intersection of government, business, and civil society. His
work has been shaped by one enduring conviction: that dialogue, trust, and collaboration are the
most powerful instruments for driving meaningful and lasting change.
A graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce and the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, Ajay
serves on multiple advisory councils, boards, and foundations. Across these roles, he is guided
by a consistent mission—to contribute to an India that is inclusive, globally competitive, and
anchored in the values of trust, dialogue, and collaboration.
As Founder of the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), established in 2008, Ajay has made his
most defining institutional contribution. Under his leadership, PAFI has evolved into one of
India’s most respected and distinctive platforms for public policy and public affairs
professionals. Its Annual Forum—widely regarded as the country’s leading non-partisan policy
platform—brings together leaders from government, industry, civil society, and academia to
deliberate on issues central to India’s growth and governance. As Chairman Emeritus of the
Annual Forum, he continues to shape its vision and guiding philosophy: that open dialogue and
trust are indispensable to national progress.
Alongside institution building, Ajay has established himself as an author and thought leader. He
co-edited The Policy Pivot: Inside India’s Strategic Shift, the first book published by PAFI,
which examines India’s evolving role in a rapidly changing global order. He writes regularly for
leading publications on geopolitics, public affairs , public policy, and governance. His work
brings together decades of institutional experience with forward-looking insight, with the aim of
provoking dialogue and shaping new thinking on issues critical to India’s future.
Ajay’s professional engagements today span a wide range of influential roles. He serves as
Group Strategic Advisor and Ombudsperson at the Jubilant Bhartia Group, and as Professor of
Practice at the Indian School of Public Policy, where he mentors the next generation of policy
leaders. He is associated with organisations at the forefront of policy, innovation, and social
change, including The Convergence Foundation, Urban Land Institute (India), Internet and
Mobile Association of India, Catalyst 2030, and Teamwork Arts.
He contributes to the boards of Aakash Educational Services Limited, SaveLife Foundation, and
Pahle India Foundation. He is also a Trustee of the India Development Foundation and serves as
an Expert Member of the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council.
Ajay Khanna’s engagement extends to the global stage. For over three decades, he has been a
regular participant at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, contributing to conversations
on competitiveness, sustainability, and social innovation. He also pioneered the Social
Entrepreneur of the Year Award – India, a platform that recognises leaders who combine
enterprise with purpose to drive transformative social impact. He is a member of the Global
Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship of WEF.
Earlier in his career, Ajay played a significant role in building institutions that continue to shape
India’s global engagement. At the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), where he spent nearly
three decades and rose to the position of Deputy Director General, he was closely involved in
fostering constructive engagement between policymakers and industry during India’s
liberalisation years. He later served as the Founding CEO of the India Brand Equity Foundation
(IBEF), where he led India’s global branding initiatives, including the landmark “India
Everywhere” campaign at Davos in 2006. Subsequently, as a Partner at Accenture India, he
advised corporations and governments on reform, competitiveness, and innovation.
For Ajay Khanna, strategy is not merely about intent—it is about execution, integrity, and long-
term vision. Across institutions, boardrooms, and policy platforms, he has remained guided by a
singular belief: that dialogue is the most powerful currency of change.
