Rolls-Royce has strengthened its strategic presence in India by appointing Sashi Mukundan as Executive Vice President, Transformation India, effective October 2025. In this key role, Mukundan will lead government and business relations, drive policy engagement, and support Rolls-Royce’s plans to expand operations and localise high-tech manufacturing in India.
Strengthening India’s Strategic Importance
India has long been a critical market for Rolls-Royce, with operations spanning civil aerospace, defence, and energy sectors. The company’s technologies power the Indian Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, major airlines, rail networks, airports, hospitals, and data centers, making it a vital contributor to the country’s industrial and technological ecosystem.
Mukundan’s appointment underscores Rolls-Royce’s intent to align closely with India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision, emphasising local co-development, co-manufacturing, and technology transfer to build domestic capabilities in power and propulsion systems.
Role and Responsibilities
In his new role, Sashi Mukundan will:
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Manage government and regulatory relations across India.
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Secure strategic collaborations to scale Rolls-Royce’s operations.
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Drive policy engagement supporting civil aerospace, defence, and energy sectors.
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Accelerate localisation and co-development initiatives, fostering innovation within Indian industry clusters.
The move is expected to create opportunities for local suppliers, joint ventures, and service providers, enhancing standards in engineering, manufacturing, and research & development.
Leadership and Experience
Mukundan brings over four decades of leadership experience, including his tenure at BP Group as Senior Vice President and President of BP India. His extensive expertise in energy and low-carbon initiatives positions him to lead Rolls-Royce’s growth strategy in India effectively.
CEO Tufan Erginbilgic emphasised that Mukundan’s appointment reflects the company’s commitment to increasing its footprint in India, not just as a supplier of advanced technologies but as a partner in local capability development and innovation.
Impact on India’s Industrial Growth
With Mukundan at the helm, Rolls-Royce aims to:
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Enhance technology transfer and co-creation with local partners.
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Support self-reliance and manufacturing ambitions under India’s long-term industrial goals.
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Accelerate competitiveness and innovation across civil, defence, and energy sectors.
This strategic hire positions Rolls-Royce to strengthen its market presence, operational excellence, and technological leadership in one of its most critical international markets.
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