The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization based in Washington D.C., has appointed Indian-American Navin Girishankar as the president of its newly established Economic Security and Technology Department.
This new department aims to integrate various CSIS programs to provide research on economic and technology policies critical to U.S. national security. It will concentrate on key areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, energy security, critical minerals, and advanced technologies including digital, quantum, and cybersecurity.
Previously, Girishankar served as a senior counselor to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, where he played a pivotal role in shaping policies related to industrial investments, U.S.-China economic relations, and economic diplomacy with international allies.
Before his tenure in government, Girishankar held senior roles at Bridgewater Associates, focusing on investments in the Middle East and Asia. At the World Bank, he spearheaded initiatives on trade, competitiveness, governance, and innovation policy, which provided him with broad expertise on both domestic and international issues.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Girishankar stated, “I’m honored to lead CSIS’s work on economic security and technology at a critical moment for the Center and for our country.” The new department will also tackle trade and investment policies, intellectual property, innovation, and economic relations with China and other global partners. Its mission is to foster collaboration between the government and the private sector to bolster economic security.
Girishankar emphasized the need for a thorough examination of U.S. technology capabilities and vulnerabilities, modernization of economic and technology policies, and a reassessment of public-private collaboration and international economic alliances. “I believe the Economic Security and Technology Department and our world-class team will play a central role in meeting this challenge,” he added.
John Hamre, CSIS president and CEO, praised Girishankar, noting, “Navin Girishankar is among Washington’s most trusted economic strategists on domestic and international issues, with a unique track record over three decades across government, business, and international finance institutions. He is the ideal candidate to lead this initiative.”
Girishankar holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Williams College. In addition to his professional achievements, he is a percussionist in the Indian classical tradition and practices various forms of meditation.
