Meta has officially announced the appointment of Arun Srinivas as the new head of its India operations. The move comes at a time when India remains one of the company’s most strategic markets globally.
The appointment follows Meta’s internal leadership restructuring, which saw Sandhya Devanathan being assigned a broader role overseeing both India and Southeast Asia. Srinivas will now take charge of leading Meta’s key business and operational priorities across India.
Arun Srinivas Takes the Helm at Meta India
In his new position, Srinivas will be responsible for driving Meta’s strategy in India, including managing the core business, partnerships, and regulatory outreach. He will also help scale the company’s digital ecosystem, spanning Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Before this appointment, Arun Srinivas served as Director and Head of Ads Business at Meta India. His deep understanding of the market, combined with prior leadership roles at companies like Ola, Unilever, and Reebok, has made him a strong fit for the new role.
Meta said in a statement that Srinivas’s elevation reflects “his leadership strength and understanding of Meta’s ecosystem in one of its most exciting and complex markets.”
India: A Key Market for Meta
India is one of Meta’s largest user bases globally. Facebook has over 400 million users in the country, and WhatsApp continues to dominate India’s messaging space with over 500 million active users.
Given the digital boom, India remains central to Meta’s global growth. From the rise in influencer marketing on Instagram to the adoption of WhatsApp for business communication, India offers unique opportunities for digital innovation.
Srinivas will play a crucial role in aligning Meta’s offerings with India’s fast-evolving digital landscape. This includes expanding Meta’s footprint among small businesses and creators, strengthening regional language outreach, and complying with India’s regulatory environment.
Sandhya Devanathan Expands Role in Southeast Asia
Sandhya Devanathan, who previously led Meta India, now assumes an expanded role as Vice President for India and Southeast Asia. Her new responsibilities cover broader regional oversight, strategic alignment, and fostering cross-market synergies.
Devanathan’s elevation signifies Meta’s aim to streamline leadership across high-growth markets. It also ensures that the company maintains consistency in its operational goals while adapting to local nuances.
Meta’s restructuring comes as part of its long-term vision to stay agile amid changing global and local regulatory dynamics. Both Srinivas and Devanathan are expected to collaborate closely to ensure cohesive regional growth.
Business and Policy Challenges Ahead
Srinivas takes over Meta India at a time when the digital ecosystem faces multiple challenges — including data privacy regulations, content moderation concerns, and ongoing scrutiny from the Indian government.
Additionally, the evolving policy framework under the Digital India Act and increasing focus on platform accountability means Srinivas must balance innovation with compliance.
Experts believe that Srinivas’s past experience working with regulators and businesses will help navigate these complex terrains effectively. His familiarity with local trends and user behaviour gives him an edge in crafting relevant solutions.
Industry Reactions and Market Outlook
The appointment has been met with optimism across the tech and advertising sectors. Industry leaders noted that Srinivas’s elevation ensures leadership continuity at Meta India and strengthens its local engagement strategy.
Many in the advertising community expect renewed focus on regional content, small business empowerment, and innovation in monetisation strategies across Meta’s platforms.
With India’s digital advertising market expected to grow by 20–25% in 2025, Meta’s leadership changes come at a strategic time. Srinivas’s role in capturing this momentum will be critical to the company’s performance in the coming quarters.
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