Kannan Kumar is a policy researcher working at the intersection of industrial policy, trade, and international economics. He has previously worked with the Government of India in a consulting capacity, including with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Commerce, where he contributed to research and policy advisory work on manufacturing policy, industrial competitiveness, global value chains, and trade negotiations, including India’s engagement in Free Trade Agreement processes. He also holds a degree in law.

His research interests lie in industrial policy design, political economy of manufacturing, global value chains, trade and logistics performance, and regional economic development, with a strong focus on India. His work combines empirical analysis using large administrative and trade datasets, along with firm- and sector-level information, with institutional, regulatory, and political-economy perspectives to assess policy outcomes and structural transformation.

Kannan is also an active academic researcher with peer-reviewed publications and ongoing research projects on service quality and trade performance at Indian dry ports, industrial policy conditionalities, and international economics. He is currently pursuing doctoral research in the area of infrastructure, trade, and service quality.