Google has appointed Sreenivasa Reddy, a former executive at Samsung and Apple, to spearhead its public policy efforts in India. This strategic move comes amidst mounting anti-trust challenges faced by the internet giant in the country, as the government actively develops a comprehensive set of tech regulations.

Reddy’s appointment follows a year-long gap after the resignation of the former head of public policy, Archana Gulati, who stepped down just five months into her tenure.

Expressing his admiration for Google’s dedication to innovation and its mission to organize and make the world’s information universally accessible and useful, Reddy shared his excitement about joining the tech giant. He highlighted Google’s contributions in India, including efforts to enhance internet accessibility through Android and digital skills training, all of which align with India’s digital transformation and the pursuit of a sustainable and inclusive digital economy.

India, according to Reddy, stands at a pivotal juncture in its digital journey, with immense potential to emerge as a global leader in the digital economy. He emphasized the need to address challenges such as equitable digital transformation, user privacy and security, and harnessing the local talent pool to drive tech innovation.

Prior to his role at Google, Reddy served as Microsoft’s head of XR (extended reality) regulatory affairs for the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region for two years. He also held positions as Apple’s head of regulatory affairs in India for nearly three and a half years and led Ericsson’s government and industry relations in India for five years.

Michaela Browning, VP for Government Affairs and Public Policy, acknowledged India’s pivotal role in its digital transformation, with the internet economy expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. She emphasized the significance of India as a source of innovation and learning for Google, given its rapidly expanding user base and the potential for sustainable and inclusive growth through greater internet accessibility and collaboration.