The Delhi Council

Dr. Ajay Mathur

Former Director General, International Solar Alliance

Ajay Mathur is Professor of Practice in the School of Public Policy at IIT, Delhi. He was the Director General of the International Solar Alliance, a treaty-based organization from 14 March 2021 to 14th March 2025. As of 1st March 2025, 123 countries had signed the Treaty. Prior to his election as the Director General of ISA, Dr. Mathur was the Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) 2016 - 2021, and earlier of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) 2006 - 2016. He has also been a Dean at TERI, President of the wind-energy company, Suzlon, and Team Leader for Climate Change in the World Bank. He was also the Director of the Green Climate Fund in its foundational phase.

As DG of ISA, Dr. Mathur built up it's advocacy, capacity building and project preparation activities. He has led the preparation of reports that are prepared on an annual basis, the creation of national centers for capacity building, and enabling countries to make institutional changes encompassing both regulatory and policy change and project development. He has created a Global Solar Facility with a Payment Guarantee window to attract investment in small solar in Africa (This facility will later be expanded to Asia and Latin America). A Solar X Startup challenge has also been initiated to identify solar startups in the developing world who could generate nationally relevant projects. Till date, the challenge has identified 20 startups in Africa, 30 in Asia-Pacific region, and will identify 20 startup in the Latin America & Caribbean region in 2025. These startups are then put through accelerator workshops on raising finance, enhancing technological capabilities, and in brand building so that some of them become the Amazons of tomorrow.

In addition, Dr. Mathur has led the ISA to bring solar into peoples' lives through events such as the International Solar Festival, and the private sector CEO Caucus. These activities have served to build ISA's credibility in enabling solar energy as the energy source of choice.

Earlier, as DG of TERI, he led the Institution's activities into the energy transition area and on air quality improvement initiatives, and strengthened its work in the energy and environment policy area, the industrial energy efficiency area, and the development of biotechnological innovations, especially in agricultural applications. These activities resulted in the national (and global) recognition that a transition to carbon free energy was possible in India, while meeting the growing energy needs of its people.

As DG of BEE, he brought energy efficiency into our lives. Through the star labelling programme, both consumers and producers of energy-consuming equipment were able to signal the energy efficiency of their equipment. The periodic increases in the energy efficiency of labels helped in bringing in a culture of innovation amongst producers, and of expectation of enhanced energy efficiency amongst consumers and policy makers. Through the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) programme. BEE targeted large industrial consumers of energy, and enabled the progressive decline of specific energy consumption amongst the industrial sectors who were large users of energy. The PAT programme enabled the large industrial sector in India to grow by more than one-third in a little ever 10 years, while its energy consumption grow by less than one-quarter over the same period. BEE also spearheaded the creation of a public sector company, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), as a market maker for energy efficiency services. The innovative business model adopted by EESL enabled the India market to switch over to energy efficient LED bulbs in less than 4 years.

He was also an Indian climate change negotiator during 2006 - 2011, and lead negotiator for technology which led to the creation of the Technology Mechanism and the Clean Technology Centre and Network in 2011. He was the spokesperson for India at the Paris Climate Change Negotiations in 2015.

Apart from bringing public policy to positively influence the renewable energy and energy efficiency markets, Dr. Mathur has also been a great institution builder, and a pioneering thought leader who has helped bring the clean energy market to life. Through his actions in helping build up the credibility of institutions such as the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency, as well as the Green Climate Fund and the International Solar Alliance, he has enabled public policy changes (favoring clean energy) to be adopted by countless consumers and the corporate sector through market-based mechanisms. These have helped in their adoption and long-term sustainability. A key concept in the development of market-based mechanisms has been that they enable convergence of public and private interests on the demand side, and so can be upscaled easily and quickly.

Dr. Mathur was a member of the Indian Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change, and also was co-chair of the Global Energy Transition Commission and the Cooling Initiative of the One Earth Summit. He was appointed a Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Merite by the President of France in recognition of his outstanding commitment to preserve the environment and coping with energy-related challenges. He was also a member of the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

Dr. Mathur received a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineeringfrom the (then) University of Roorkee in 1979, and subsequently the Masters and PhD. Degrees from the University of Illinois. He has received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from both his alma maters.

He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, of the National Academy of Engineering, and of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. He is currently Chair of the National Task Force for Reducing Land Requirement for Solar Energy, and of the National Committee for Education for the Energy Sector. He is also a member of the Board of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, and of ECube Investments.

Shri Ajay Shankar

Former Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in the Government of India

Shri Amrit Lal Meena, IAS

Former Chief Secretary to Government of Bihar and Former Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India

Have rich experience of working in Bihar for 24 years and 11 years in Govt of India. Served as collector of five districts Siwan, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Gaya and Muzaffarpur continuously for over 9 years from 95 to 2004.

Handled highly infested Naxal districts with people centric administrative skills. His accessibility, sensitivity towards cause of common people, push for development works and balanced enforcement of laws were unique traits.

Worked in Ministry of Rural Development as PS during 2004-09. Have been instrumental in formulation of MGNREGA. Have contributed in development of rural roads in Bihar.

Worked as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing, contributed in development of cold chain sector in India.

At state level has served as Secretary in 10 departments from 2012-2021.

Worked in Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt of India as Special Secretary Logistics. Contributed in formulation and roll out of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and National Logistics Policy.

Rich experience of monitoring major Infrastructure Projects across sectors and states under Project Monitoring Group. For the last two years he is serving as Secretary Ministry of Coal. Coal sector has seen double digit historical coal production growth. Market cap of coal CPSEs have gone up over 150% in last two years. Transparent auction of Commercial Coal Blocks has brought in massive response from Industry, thereby contributing to energy security of nation. With massive push for coal gasification and venturing in renewable energy, Coal CPSEs are diversifying as sustainable strong organisations.

Have received three national awards including National Literacy award in 2003, National award for Implementation of MGNREGA in Bihar in 2013 and National E-governance award in 2014.

Mr. Bhaskar Khulbe

Former Advisor to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India

A retired IAS officer of 1983 batch (West Bengal Cadre), with a distinct record in policy formulation, analysis, successful project implementation and oversight in the sectors of personnel management, anti-corruption policy, agricultural exports, rural development, industrial development, trade & commerce, environment conservation, and power. Strong in understanding and appropriate application of rules and regulations with good communication and coordination skills and the ability to bring an analytical and organised approach to problem solving.

Mr. Bhaskar Pramanik

Former Chairman, Microsoft India and Independent Board Member and Advisor

Bhaskar Pramanik is a seasoned technology and governance leader with over four decades of experience shaping global organizations across India, Singapore, and the U.S. He has helmed marquee roles including Chairman of Microsoft India, Managing Director of Oracle India, and Global VP at Sun Microsystems, where he led commercial systems worldwide.

Post-retirement, Bhaskar continues to influence the future of business as an Independent Director and Strategic Advisor to leading firms in investment banking, healthcare, travel tech, and cloud communications. He has served on the Board of the State Bank of India, NAB GCC, KPMG, TBO, Unity Small Finance Bank and contributes to advisory councils at IITs, IIITs, and international universities.

A passionate mentor, Bhaskar has guided numerous tech leaders who now drive innovation at companies like Google, Cisco, Nvidia, and SAP. His interests span leadership development, corporate governance, and the societal impact of emerging technologies.

Bhaskar is known for blending strategic insight with cultural empathy-making him a sought-after voice at industry forums, government panels, and leadership summits.

Mr. Deb A Mukherjee - Chairperson

Former President, BCC&I and Managing Director, Cenergist Energy Private Limited

An entrepreneur, professionally qualified as a lawyer, with over 40 years work experience in diverse business domains, engineering systems, information technology solutions and later in energy services for the last 15 years.

He was Executive Chairman of Eaga Energy India Pvt Ltd (subsidiary of Eaga plc UK FTSE250 company) until 2012. Presently, he is an Investor in Power Roll Ltd, UK and also Managing Director of Cenergist Energy Private Limited, India.

Mr. Manjeev Singh Puri

Former Indian Ambassador, Nepal, Luxembourg, Belgium and European Union

Ms. Meera Shankar

Former Ambassador of India to United States

Smt. Meera Shankar joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1973 and had an illustrious career. She served in the Prime Minister's Office for six years, from 1985 to 1991 working with four Prime Ministers on foreign policy and security issues.Thereafter, she led the Commercial Wing in the Indian Embassy in Washington as Minister (Commerce) till 1995. She returned as Director General of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) overseeing India's cultural diplomacy. She has had extensive experience in South Asia having worked on Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives as Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. Later, as Joint Secretary she headed divisions dealing with neighbours, Nepal and Bhutan, and the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC). As Additional Secretary, she handled the UN and International Security issues. She was the first woman to serve as Ambassador of India to Germany from 2005 to 2009.She then served as India's Ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2011. Over the last decade she has served as an Independent Director on the Boards of several Indian Companies.

Dr. Sanjaya Baru

Political Commentator & Ex Chief Editor, The Financial Express

Sanjaya Baru is Founder-Trustee, Forum for National Security Studies, India; and, Distinguished Fellow, United Service Institution of India (www.usiofindia.org) and Centre for Air Power Studies (https://capsindia.org/).

He has been editor of India's major financial newspapers and was Media Advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2004-09). He was Director for Geo-economics and Strategy, International Institute of Strategic Studies, London (2011-16); Baru was member of India's National Security Advisory Board (1999-2001). He was member of the Governing Board of the Centre for Policy Research and Visiting Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore and Indian School of Public Policy, Delhi. He was professor of economics at University of Hyderabad and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations.

His publications include The Strategic Consequences of India's Economic Rise (2006); India and the World: Essays on Geo-economics and Foreign Policy( 2016); The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh (2014); 1991: How PV Narasimha Rao Made History (2016); Powers Shifts and Trade Blocs (Editor, 2015); The Bombay Plan: A Blueprint for Economic Resurgence (Editor, 2018); Beyond Covid's Shadow: Mapping Indian Economy's Resurgence (Editor, 2020); India's Power Elite: Caste, Class and a Cultural Revolution, (Penguin Viking, 2021); The New Cold War: Henry Kissinger and the Rise of China, (HarperCollins, 2021); Journey of a Nation: 75 Years of the Economy (2022). The Importance of Shinzo Abe: Japan, India and the Indo-Pacific (Editor, 2023); and Secession of the Successful: The Flight Out of New India (Penguin Random House, 2025).

Shri Swapan Dasgupta

Distinguished Fellow, India Foundation, New Delhi, Former MP (RajyaSabha), President, KholaHawa, West Bengal, Member, BJP National Executive

Shri Swapan Dasgupta is a Former Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of India's Parliament. He is one of India's most widely read political columnists for the past three decades. Having worked in almost all the leading publications in India in senior editorial positions, he has been an independent columnist since 2003. In 2015 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India.

Mr. Subimal Bhattacharjee

Treasurer and Head - Critical and Emerging Technologies, Society for Harmonise Aspirations for Responsible Engagement (SHARE)

Mr. Subimal Bhattacharjee currently is an independent adviser, consultant on cyber security, defense and high end technology policy issues based out of New Delhi.

He is also a globally acclaimed cyber issues specialist and has served as a member of the research advisory committee of the Global Commission on Internet Governance besides being experts for 2 UN led initiatives in the subject. He is currently a member of the Editorial board of Cyber Journal, Chatham House London. He was recently a Visiting Scholar in residence at Ostrom Workshop, Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.

His forays into writing and film making are also established and he is a regular columnist and television panelist on contemporary technology and security issues. He has been a speaker at all the top think tanks of the world. He holds a post graduate degree in mathematics from the University of Delhi, Delhi and bachelors degree in law from Maharishi University of Information Technology, Lucknow India.