Jairam Ramesh is Chair of the Future Earth Engagement Committee, a research platform on global sustainability. Formerly he was the Minister of Rural Development and Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment and Forests, Government of India. He is also a member of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Parliament of India. Muhammad Ali Khan is an advocate practicing in the Supreme Court of India. He was formerly the Officer on Special Duty to the Minister for Rural Development in the Government of India. Prior to that he worked as an Aide to Jairam Ramesh in the Ministry of Environment and Forests. He began his career working with the litigation team of Amarchand and Mangaldas, a premier Indian law firm.