NEW DELHI: Amitabh Kant, the former CEO of NITI Aayog, will take over as the G-20's new sherpa, replacing Union Minister Piyush Goyal, according to sources on Thursday.

Later this year, India will preside over the G-20. "Union Minister Goyal, holds the charge of multiple portfolios in the Modi cabinet which consumes a lot of his time," a source said. "The Sherpa would need to devote a lot of time to several meetings that will be held in different parts of the country." This year, India will hold the G-20 presidency. The source also stated that the Minister is also charged with other urgent tasks similar to the Rajya Sabha Leader.

Kant served as the CEO of NITI Aayog for over six years until completing an extended tenure last month. The Kerala-cadre IAS officer had previously served as the department's secretary for industrial policy and promotion (DIPP).

Niti Aayog approves compendium of Ayush practices to manage COVID

India's gig workforce seen at 23.5 mn by FY30: NITI

Parameswaran Iyer will be the new CEO of NITI Aayog, the central government approved the name