New Delhi, June 17, 2025 — In a significant leadership shift, Meta Platforms has officially named Arun Srinivas as the new Managing Director and Head of Meta India, effective July 1, 2025. The announcement comes at a pivotal time for the tech giant as it doubles down on growth, innovation, and market expansion in one of its largest user bases globally.
Srinivas, who currently serves as Director and Head of Meta India’s advertising business, will now take on the broader mandate of leading the company’s operations across India. He will report directly to Sandhya Devanathan, Meta’s Vice President for India and now also Head of Southeast Asia.
Driving Meta’s Strategic Growth in India
Meta emphasized that Srinivas’s expanded leadership role is aimed at streamlining its business strategies and accelerating revenue growth in the country. As Managing Director, he will be responsible for strengthening Meta’s collaboration with Indian advertisers, brand partners, developers, and key stakeholders across the tech ecosystem.
“Arun’s leadership will play a critical role in uniting our business, innovation, and revenue goals as we continue to deepen our commitment to India,” said Meta in an official statement. “He will also focus on long-term market development and support our partners in unlocking the full potential of Meta’s platforms.”
India remains a strategic market for Meta, home to hundreds of millions of users across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Srinivas’s new role positions him at the forefront of Meta’s efforts to reinforce its presence amid growing digital adoption and competitive challenges.
Arun Srinivas: A Proven Leader With Cross-Industry Expertise
Srinivas joined Meta in 2022 and quickly rose through the ranks, spearheading the advertising vertical and forging strong industry partnerships. His deep understanding of the Indian market, combined with his rich corporate background, makes him a seasoned choice for the top job.
Before joining Meta, Srinivas served as the Chief Operating Officer and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Ola, India’s ride-hailing giant. He resigned in 2020 after a one-year stint. Prior to Ola, he was a senior leader at Hindustan Unilever, where he held the position of Vice President, and later moved to WestBridge Capital, a private equity firm, where he led strategic investments in the consumer space.
His diverse experience across technology, consumer goods, and private equity is expected to bring a multidimensional approach to Meta’s Indian operations.
Leadership Transition Amid Policy Tensions
Srinivas’s appointment follows the resignation of Shivnath Thukral, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy in India. Thukral, a seasoned policy executive with over seven and a half years at Meta, announced his departure via LinkedIn, citing personal goals including health, family, and new ventures.
“After a very satisfying and enriching journey of more than 7.5 years, I have decided to step down… I will be back soon,” Thukral shared. He also hinted at upcoming plans that will allow him to continue contributing to India’s global ambitions
This leadership reshuffle also coincides with Sandhya Devanathan’s elevated responsibilities, now overseeing operations not only in India but across the broader Southeast Asia region.
Regulatory Clouds Loom Over Meta’s Indian Expansion
Srinivas steps into his new role amid an increasingly complex regulatory landscape for Meta in India. In November 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a significant fine on the company for anti-competitive practices, specifically targeting WhatsApp’s data-sharing policies with other Meta-owned services.
The CCI also enforced a five-year ban on WhatsApp from sharing user data for advertising purposes. While Meta has challenged the ruling, warning of severe business repercussions, the Indian tribunal temporarily lifted the data-sharing restrictions earlier this year—an ongoing legal battle that continues to draw national attention.
As Meta seeks to regain regulatory goodwill, Srinivas’s role will be crucial in navigating policy dynamics and reinforcing the company’s commitment to ethical growth in India’s dynamic digital space.
The Road Ahead for Meta India
With Arun Srinivas at the helm, Meta India is poised for a new chapter—one focused on integrated growth, regulatory compliance, and deeper engagement with the country’s digital-first economy. His appointment underscores Meta’s intent to invest in strong leadership and local insight as it competes in an increasingly crowded and scrutinized market.
As Srinivas gears up to lead one of the world’s largest digital user ecosystems, all eyes will be on how Meta shapes its future in India under his stewardship.
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