On June 16, 2025, Meta Platforms made a big announcement. The company named Arun Srinivas as the new Managing Director and Head of India operations. This change will take effect from July 1, 2025. It is an important step for Meta because India is one of its largest markets. Arun Srinivas is already working at Meta. He currently leads the company’s advertising business in India. His new role gives him more power and responsibility. He will now lead Meta’s overall operations in the country. This includes platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which are widely used in India.
Meta has many users in India. The country is one of the biggest internet markets in the world. Millions of people in India use Meta’s apps every day. So, the company needs a strong leader to manage everything smoothly. Arun Srinivas is seen as someone who understands the market very well. He knows how to deal with businesses, government, and users. His appointment comes at a time when Meta is facing many challenges in India. These include legal issues, new technology rules, and increasing competition. So, the company wants someone experienced and steady to lead its India operations forward.
Arun Srinivas joined Meta in 2020. Since then, he has been managing the company’s advertising business in India. He helped Meta grow its business by using tools like Reels, messaging ads, and artificial intelligence. Under his leadership, Meta’s India advertising division grew stronger. Many small and large companies use Meta platforms to promote their products. He worked with these companies to help them reach more customers. He also built good relationships with marketing partners and advertising agencies. This helped Meta become more trusted in the Indian business world. His good performance is one of the reasons he was promoted.
Before joining Meta, Arun Srinivas had a long and successful career. He began his professional journey in 1996 at Reebok. After that, he joined Hindustan Unilever, one of India’s biggest consumer goods companies. He worked there for around fifteen years and gained deep experience in marketing and leadership. Later, he worked with Ola, the ride-sharing company, and WestBridge Capital, a private equity firm. His experience includes managing products, sales, teams, and company strategies. This wide experience across different companies makes him a strong and balanced leader. Meta believes that Arun Srinivas is the right person for this top role.
He also has a strong educational background. Arun completed his undergraduate degree in science from the University of Madras. Later, he earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta. IIM Calcutta is one of the top business schools in India. His education and work experience together make him a great fit for this role. He understands both the technical side and the business side of things. That helps when making important decisions. Meta expects that under his leadership, the company’s future in India will be more stable and successful.
Arun Srinivas will now report to Sandhya Devanathan. She is Meta’s Vice President for India and Southeast Asia. Earlier, she was also handling the India role. Now, she will focus more on Southeast Asia. This change means Arun will have more control in India. Sandhya and Arun have worked together in the past. They understand each other’s goals and ideas. This smooth transition shows that Meta is planning carefully. The company wants a local leader who can focus only on India. This is important because the country has many local issues that need attention from someone who understands them.
One of the main reasons for this leadership change is the growing pressure Meta faces in India. The company has been under the scanner of Indian regulators. In 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined Meta for unfair business practices. They said Meta was using WhatsApp data to help its advertising business, which was not allowed. The fine was big, and it affected Meta’s image. Later, the tribunal put a hold on that ban, but the legal matter is still ongoing. Meta needs a leader who can manage these kinds of challenges calmly and carefully.
There are also new rules and laws in India that all digital companies must follow. The Indian government is making more strict laws on how companies collect, use, and store user data. Meta has to make sure that its platforms follow all these rules. If not, the company can face more fines or restrictions. Arun Srinivas has already worked with such rules while managing the ad business. So, he knows what to do and how to deal with officials. His knowledge will help Meta avoid problems and work smoothly with the Indian government and other authorities.
Another reason for this new appointment is to improve Meta’s connection with the Indian market. India has many small businesses that depend on Facebook and Instagram to reach customers. These businesses use paid ads and marketing tools from Meta. Arun’s background in advertising will help these businesses grow. He understands what Indian businesses need. He can guide Meta to create better tools and services for Indian users. When local businesses grow, Meta also earns more revenue. So, it is a win-win for everyone. His goal will be to help Meta and Indian businesses grow together.
Arun also faces the task of managing competition. In India, Meta is not the only big tech player. Companies like Google, Amazon, and even new Indian apps are becoming popular. Users now have more choices for messaging, social media, and video sharing. Meta must stay relevant and attractive. Arun will need to make smart decisions to stay ahead. He may introduce new features or change old ones. He might also partner with Indian companies to improve services. His success will depend on how well he understands Indian users and how fast he can act on their needs.
Another focus will be on innovation. India is a country where young people love new technology. Meta wants to bring features like AI tools, virtual reality, and better video experiences to Indian users. Arun Srinivas will be responsible for making sure these features are useful and simple to use. He will also need to make sure they work well on cheap smartphones and slow internet. Many users in India still do not have high-end phones or fast connections. So, making new tools that work for everyone is a big part of his job in the coming years.
Meta also wants to work more closely with creators and influencers. Platforms like Instagram are popular because of people who make videos, photos, and content. These creators help Meta grow its reach and make money. Arun Srinivas is expected to build better partnerships with such creators. He may help introduce new ways for them to earn money from their content. That way, more people will stay active on Meta platforms. He may also improve the tools that help creators grow their audience. Supporting creators is now an important business step for companies like Meta.
Meta also plans to improve safety on its platforms. There have been complaints about fake news, hate speech, and harmful content. These problems hurt users and also bring legal trouble. Arun will need to work with safety teams to remove bad content quickly. He will also need to talk with government officers to show that Meta is serious about these issues. Meta may use new technology like artificial intelligence to detect and block harmful content. But the leadership must make sure the rules are followed well. Arun’s leadership will be tested in how well he handles this problem.
One more area of importance is digital payments and commerce. Meta has been testing WhatsApp Pay in India. This feature lets people send money or buy things directly from WhatsApp. It is still not very popular, but Meta hopes it will grow. Arun Srinivas may help push this feature forward. He might work with banks and shops to bring more users to WhatsApp Pay. If it becomes popular, Meta can earn more money and keep users active on the app. With digital money becoming common in India, this could become a major part of Meta’s business plan.
Public trust is another big challenge. Some people worry that Meta does not protect user data well. These worries have grown after news of data leaks and misuse. Arun will need to make people trust Meta again. He might start public campaigns to explain how Meta keeps data safe. He may also need to answer questions from media and government bodies. Communication is very important. If people believe Meta is safe and useful, they will use its platforms more. So, Arun’s role is not just about business, but also about building trust and a good company image.
Meta’s future in India will depend a lot on how Arun Srinivas leads the team. He will work with engineers, policy teams, sales experts, and customer support. Leading such a big team takes skill and patience. He will also need to speak with business leaders and meet government ministers. His work will include planning, solving problems, and making Meta better every day. The job is not easy. But with his experience and knowledge, many people believe he will do well. He already knows the company from inside, which helps him understand how to lead in the right way.
This leadership change shows that Meta is taking India very seriously. The company understands that India is not just a big market, but also a very complex one. Local rules, user behavior, competition, and politics all play a role. So, a local leader like Arun Srinivas is the best choice. He will bring a strong local voice to Meta’s global team. He will represent Indian needs in meetings with top Meta leaders. At the same time, he will explain Meta’s plans to people in India. That balance will help Meta grow in the country in the right way.