Anand Sharma is an Indian politician and a former Union Cabinet Minister for Commerce, Industry, and Textiles. |
From June 2014 to 2022, he served as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha. |
Anand Sharma stepped down from chairmanship of the Indian National Congress’ steering committee for Himachal Pradesh on 21 August 2022. |
During his college days, Anand Sharma was a prominent leader in the student and youth movement in India. |
He was one of the founding members of NSUI, the students’ wing of the Indian National Congress. |
Anand Sharma served as the President of the Indian Youth Congress. |
He highlighted the need for significant investment in India's manufacturing sector and reducing the cost of credit. |
Anand Sharma led a delegation of over 120 people to Pakistan from India in February 2012 to enhance trade relations. |
Anand Sharma pushed for revising the existing visa bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan. |
During his tenure as Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma initiated policies to attract foreign investments for India’s manufacturing growth. |
Anand Sharma played a vital role in drafting India’s first National Manufacturing Policy in 2011. |
The National Manufacturing Policy aimed to increase manufacturing to 25% of GDP and create 100 million skilled jobs. |
Under his leadership, the government established greenfield integrated manufacturing cities and NIMZs. |
During his term as Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma facilitated Foreign Direct Investment in Defense and Civil Aviation. |
The government allowed 100% FDI in Single Brand retail and Multi-brand retail stores under his guidance. |
Anand Sharma's leadership led to the conceptualization of the e-Biz Project for improving business conditions in India. |
India attracted significant foreign investments during Anand Sharma's tenure, earning $190 billion as FDI. |
Merchandise exports of India almost doubled due to Anand Sharma's amendments to the Foreign Trade Policy. |
Anand Sharma played a crucial role in defending the right of developing countries for food security at the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Bali. |
Anand Sharma was involved in the formation of the Indo-US Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. |
Apart from politics, Anand Sharma is an accomplished author with several published books. |
Anand Sharma was part of an International Conference honoring Jawaharlal Nehru in 2014. |
Anand Sharma was among the G-23 leaders of INC seeking major organizational changes in 2020. |
Anand Sharma enjoys playing Cricket, hiking, traveling, and reading philosophy and history books. |
He is a music lover, enjoying Indian and Western classical music. |
Anand Sharma resigned from the steering committee of the Congress’s Himachal Pradesh unit on 21 August 2022, citing vilification and humiliation from party higher authorities. |
He expressed his sentiments of hurt and humiliation in a media conversation. |