MAM
Kuntala Karkun appointed Additional Director at FICCI
Veteran economist joins to lead macro research and global trade policy advocacy.
MUMBAI: Kuntala Karkun just traded think-tank desks for a front-row seat at India’s economic policy table because when the numbers need a sharp mind, FICCI called in the heavyweight. Kuntala Karkun has been appointed additional director, Economic Affairs & Research at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), where she will spearhead research, analytics, and policy advocacy on macroeconomic trends and global trade issues.
She joins from Pahlé India Foundation (PIF), where she served as senior fellow, driving economic growth and investment strategy initiatives for Indian states. Before that, she spent over seven years at Nasscom in senior leadership roles, including director of global trade development and deputy director for Policy Advocacy, shaping the tech sector’s trade and policy agenda.
Her career also includes a decade at Mckinsey & Company across multiple positions, contributing to global economic research and public policy thought leadership, along with a summer stint at ICICI Bank early on.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for India’s economic narrative, as the country navigates global trade shifts, domestic growth targets, and the push for deeper policy impact. Kuntala’s blend of macro expertise, state-level strategy experience, and industry advocacy positions her to influence FICCI’s research direction and thought leadership on issues shaping India’s place in the world economy.
For an organisation that bridges business and policy, bringing in someone with her track record isn’t just a hire, it’s a strategic move to keep the conversation on India’s rise both credible and cutting-edge.
