Ajay Khanna is a pioneering figure in Public Policy, Public Affairs, and Advocacy in India, with more than four decades of leadership at the intersection of government, business, and civil society. His career has been built on one enduring conviction: that dialogue, trust, and collaboration are the most powerful tools for shaping meaningful change.
One of Ajay’s defining contributions has been the creation of the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), which he co-founded. PAFI has since grown into the country’s most respected institution for Public Affairs and Advocacy professionals. Its Annual Forum, widely regarded as India’s premier non-partisan policy platform, convenes government leaders, industry representatives, civil society, and academia to deliberate on issues central to India’s growth and governance. As Chairman Emeritus, Ajay has played a pivotal role in shaping PAFI’s vision and its guiding philosophy: that open dialogue and trust are indispensable to the nation’s 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 also writes regularly for leading publications, offering insights on geopolitics, reform, public policy, and governance. His writings combine decades of institutional experience with foresight, aiming to provoke dialogue and shape new thinking on issues critical to India’s future.
Ajay’s professional life today spans several influential roles. He is Senior Advisor for South Asia at the US–India Business Council (USIBC), a body that advances one of the world’s most consequential bilateral partnerships. He is also Group Strategic Advisor & Ombudsperson at Jubilant Bhartia Group and Professor of Practice at the Indian School of Public Policy (ISPP), where he mentors the next generation of policy leaders. In addition, he works with organizations at the forefront of policy, innovation, and social change, including The Convergence Foundation, Urban Land Institute (India), Internet & Mobile Association of India, Catalyst 2030, and Teamwork Arts. He contributes to the boards of SaveLife Foundation, Pahle India Foundation, and NAISE, while serving as a Trustee of the India Development Foundation and an Expert Member of the Digital Publisher Content Grievances Council (DPCGC).
His influence also extends globally. For more than three decades, Ajay has been a regular participant at the World Economic Forum in Davos, contributing to discussions on competitiveness, sustainability, and social innovation. His global engagement also inspired him to pioneer the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award–India, a platform that honours innovators who blend business acumen with purpose to transform communities and society.
Earlier in his career, Ajay built 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 become Deputy Director General, he played an important role during India’s liberalisation years, helping to foster constructive engagement between policymakers and business leaders. He later Page 2 of 2 became the Founding CEO of the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), where he spearheaded India’s global branding initiatives. His most visible achievement during that period was the landmark “India Everywhere” campaign at Davos in 2006, which positioned India at the centre of the global stage. Subsequently, as a Partner at Accenture India, he advised corporations and governments on reform, competitiveness, and innovation.
Ajay is a graduate of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) and the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. He continues to serve across multiple advisory councils, boards, and foundations. What unites his many roles is a single mission: to help advance an India that is inclusive, globally competitive, and grounded in values of trust and collaboration.
For Ajay Khanna, strategy is never just about plans—it is about implementation, ethics, and vision. Whether building institutions, mentoring leaders, or strengthening global partnerships, he has remained guided by the belief that dialogue is the most powerful currency of change.
