NDTV, New Delhi :
Indian-origin Harvard University professor Gita Gopinath has been appointed chief economist of the International Monetary Fund or IMF, the international organisation tweeted. She replaces outgoing chief economist Maury Obstfeld, who will retire in December, IMF said.
Gita Gopinath is the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University. Her research focuses on international finance and macroeconomics.
IMF managing director Christine Lagarde congratulated the economist on the appointment. “Gita Gopinath is an outstanding economist, with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience. I am delighted to name such a talented figure as the IMF’s Chief Economist,” said Ms Lagarde, who has long championed greater inclusivity of women in geopolitics and global power circles.
At the World Economic Forum meet in January, Ms Lagarde told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he did not mention the women of India enough in his speech to the summit, adding “it’s not just a question of talking about them”.
