Harvard Professor Gita Gopinath, Chief Economic Advisor To Kerala CM, Named As The New IMF Chief Economist

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) named Gita Gopinath as its Chief Economist on Monday (1 October) reports The Times of India.

An alumnus of the Delhi School of Economics and Lady Shri Ram college, Gopinath will succeed Maurice Obstfeld as economic counsellor and director of IMF's research department.

A John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University, she is also the economic advisor of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"Gopinath is one of the world's outstanding economists, with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience, " IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said.

Gita Gopinath joins the illustrious list of India-born economists to be selected for the vital positions in international economic bodies after Raghuram Rajan (IMF) and Kaushik Basu (World Bank). She had earlier served as a member of the eminent persons' advisory group on G-20 matters for the finance ministry.

Gopinath received her PhD from Princeton University in 2001, and she is a US citizen.