The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) is an autonomous, policy-oriented, not-for-profit, economic policy think tank. It is an institution, not an act or scheme, that focuses on providing informative and insightful ideas for India's inclusive development.
ICRIER was established in August 1981 with the motto of "linking India with the world". It was created to enhance the knowledge content of policymaking by undertaking analytical research. The original problem it addressed was the need for policy advice to effectively deal with external economic shocks.
The institution works by conducting research across five thematic thrust areas: Growth, Employment and Macroeconomics (GEM); Trade, Investment and External Relations (TIER); Agriculture Policy, Sustainability and Innovation (APSI); Digital Economy, Start-ups and Innovation (DESI); and Climate Change, Urbanization and Sustainability (CCUS). Its core mechanism is to undertake analytical research targeted at informing India's policymakers and improving the country's interface with the global economy. ICRIER disseminates its findings and fosters discussion by organizing workshops, seminars, and conferences.
ICRIER connects to the broader policy ecosystem by serving as a trusted advisor to the government, corporates, multilaterals, and foundations. It functions as a bridge between the academic world and the policy arena. It also collaborates with international institutions such as the World Bank on initiatives like Jobs and Development. While its core structure remains the same since 1981, its research focus has evolved to include contemporary themes like the Digital Economy and Climate Change, reflecting the changing priorities of the Indian economy.