Ajay Khanna is among India’s leading public affairs & Public policy professionals, having spent
over four decades working at the intersection of government, business, and civil society.
Throughout his career, he has been guided by a simple yet enduring conviction: that trust,
dialogue, 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
has contributed to the creation and strengthening of institutions that have shaped India’s policy
discourse, global positioning, industry engagement, and social innovation ecosystem. Across
multiple leadership, advisory, and board roles, he remains committed to contributing to an India
that is inclusive, globally competitive, and anchored in democratic values and constructive
stakeholder engagement.
Over the years, he has been at the forefront of the evolution of public affairs as a profession in
India and has helped shape many of the practices and institutions that define the field today.
His most enduring institutional contribution is the founding of the Public Affairs Forum of India
(PAFI) in 2008. Under his leadership, PAFI has evolved into India’s foremost platform for public
affairs and policy professionals, fostering ethical advocacy and informed dialogue among
government, industry, academia, and civil society. Its Annual Forum is widely regarded as the
country’s leading non-partisan public policy platform, bringing together decision-makers and
thought leaders to deliberate on issues central to India’s development and governance. As
Chairman Emeritus of the Annual Forum, Ajay continues to guide its vision and reinforce its
founding belief that dialogue and trust are indispensable to national progress.
Ajay has established himself as an author and thought leader alongside his work in institution
building. He co-edited The Policy Pivot: India’s Strategic Shift, the first book published by
PAFI, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to fostering informed debate on India’s policy
transformation. He writes regularly on public policy, governance, geopolitics, and public affairs,
combining decades of institutional experience with forward-looking perspectives on India’s
future.
Today, his professional engagements span a wide range of influential institutions and
organisations. He serves as Group Strategic Advisor and Ombudsperson at the Jubilant Bhartia
Group and Professor of Practice at the Indian School of Public Policy, where he mentors the next
generation of policy leaders. He is the Founding Chair of the Global Skills Mobility Association
of India (GSMAI). He is actively engaged with organisations at the forefront of policy
innovation and social impact, including The Convergence Foundation, Urban Land Institute
(India), Internet and Mobile Association of India, Global Access to Talent from India (GATI),
and Teamwork Arts.
Ajay serves on the boards of Aakash Educational Services Limited, SaveLife Foundation, and
Pahle India Foundation. He is also a Trustee of the India Development Foundation, serves as an
Expert Member of the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council, and is a member of
Catalyst 2030.
Ajay Khanna’s engagement extends to the global stage. For over three decades, he has been a
regular participant at the World Economic Forum in Davos, contributing to discussions on
competitiveness, sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth. He also pioneered the Social
Entrepreneur of the Year Award – India, a platform that recognises leaders who combine
enterprise with purpose to create transformative social impact. He is a member of the Global
Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship of the World Economic Forum.
Earlier in his career, Ajay Khanna spent nearly three decades with the Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII), where he rose to the position of Deputy Director General and played a pivotal
role in fostering constructive engagement between policymakers and industry during India’s
economic liberalisation. He later became the Founding CEO of the India Brand Equity
Foundation (IBEF), leading 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 issues relating to competitiveness, reform, growth, and
innovation.
For Ajay Khanna, leadership is ultimately about building institutions that outlast individuals.
Across boardrooms, policy platforms, academia, and civil society, he has remained guided by a
singular belief: that trust-based dialogue, ethical advocacy, and collaborative action are the most
powerful instruments for shaping sustainable progress and meaningful change.
