Arvind Panagariya replaces Suresh Prabhu as G20 sherpa

NEW DELHI: Government has decided to appoint NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya as the Sherpa for G-20 talks, replacing Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

"Government has decided to appoint Arvind Panagariya as the Sherpa for G-20 negotiations. At present, Prabhu is holding this position," a source said.

As per the practice, the Deputy Chairman of the erstwhile Planning Commission used to be the Sherpa for G-20 talks.

During the a decade long UPA regime, former Deputy Chairman of the Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia was the sherpa for G-20 talks.

"At present, Panagariya is in the US and will be back on Saturday. He will start work on his new role only after he comes back," the source said.

The next G20 Leaders' Summit is scheduled on November 15-16 at Antalya in Turkey in November.