04-07-2025
Indian-origin individuals who hold leadership positions in different countries
In an increasingly interconnected world, Indian-origin individuals are making waves far beyond their ancestral homeland. Whether rising to prime ministerial posts in Europe, steering global corporations in Silicon Valley, or shaping foreign policy in North America, their impact resonates deeply.
These trailblazers blend cultural heritage with cutting-edge innovation, bridging East and West. From politics to tech, their stories inspire millions – highlighting resilience, diversity, and global citizenship.
Let's explore the journeys of select Indian-origin leaders – in various fields – delving into their backgrounds, achievements, and why their ascension matters in the 21st century.
Global political trailblazers
Kamala Devi Harris (USA – Former Vice President)
Born in Oakland (1964) to a Tamil mother and Jamaican father,
Kamala Harris
became the first woman, the first Black, and the first Asian‑American to serve as US Vice President.
Her tenure represents a landmark shift in American diversity at the summit of power.
Rishi Sunak (UK – Former Prime Minister)
Elected PM in October 2022, Sunak became the UK's first Prime Minister of Indian descent. His ascent from Chancellor of the Exchequer highlights both his political acumen and the growing representation of Indian-origin citizens in British governance.
Leo Varadkar (Ireland – Former Taoiseach)
Half‑Indian through his father from Mumbai, Varadkar served as Ireland's Taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 and again in 2022 (till 2024).
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A charismatic and openly gay leader, he reflects modern, pluralist Ireland.
António Costa (Portugal – Former Prime Minister)
Serving as Prime Minister from 2015 to 2024, Costa has Goan heritage. His governance underlined multicultural values within Portuguese politics.
Pravind and Prithvirajsing Jugnauth (Mauritius – Former Prime Minister and President)
Mauritius, with a majority Indo-Mauritian population, has been led by Indian-origin dynastic leaders. Pravind Jugnauth has been the PM since 2017, while Prithvirajsing Roopun has served as President since 2019.
Chan Santokhi (Suriname – President)
A former police chief with Indo-Surinamese roots, Santokhi became President in 2020. His rise highlights the legacy of indentured Indians in Caribbean politics.
Anita Anand (Canada – Minister of Foreign Affairs)
Born in Nova Scotia to Indian‑origin parents, Anand was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister in May 2025. Her political portfolio has also included defence and treasury roles, marking her as a versatile and historic leader – the first Hindu woman in Canada's Parliament.
Malaysia and Singapore – Cabinet and presidential roles
Malaysia's
Gobind Singh Deo (Minister of Digital)
and
M. Kulasegaran
(Human Resources Minister) are Sikh‑Indians in cabinet roles. In Singapore, long‑standing Indian‑origin cabinet ministers (e.g.,
Vivian Balakrishnan
,
K. Shanmugam
) plus former President
Halimah Yacob
showcase deep political integration.
Zohran Mamdani's (New York – Mayoral Hopeful)
meteoric rise, too, is a testament to the rich Indian roots.
Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Mamdani surged in NYC politics in 2025 as the top candidate in the Democratic mayoral primary, representing diversity and progressive values.
Additionally, Guyana's first Muslim president,
Mohamed Irfaan Ali
(since 2020), comes from an Indo-Guyanese background, showcasing the enduring legacy of indentured Indian migrants.
Wavel Ramkalawan
, President of Seychelles, elected in 2020, traces his heritage to India – highlighting the global reach of Indian-origin figures.
Business titans with Indian roots
Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft)
Born in Hyderabad, Nadella earned an engineering degree in India before moving to the US. He became Microsoft CEO in 2014, guiding cloud adoption and AI transformation.
Sundar Pichai
(CEO, Alphabet/Google)
Hailing from Tamil Nadu and educated at IIT Kharagpur, Pichai climbed the ranks to lead Google in 2015 and Alphabet in 2019 – his leadership marked by innovation and global scaling.
Arvind Krishna (Chairman & CEO, IBM)
Leading IBM since 2020, Krishna has been pivotal in the company's shift toward cloud and AI.
His strategic role in the Red Hat acquisition underscores his influence in enterprise tech.
Vasant Narasimhan (CEO, Novartis)
Medical trained and leading since 2018, Narasimhan has reinvigorated Novartis's global focus on innovation and patient‑centricity.
Leena Nair (CEO, Chanel)
From joining Hindustan Unilever in 1992 to becoming CHRO of Unilever in 2016, Nair took the helm at Chanel in 2021. She's renowned for championing diversity and human‑centered culture.
Ajay Banga (President, World Bank; ex‑CEO, Mastercard)
Born in Pune, Banga grew Mastercard into a fintech leader.
Appointed World Bank President in 2023, he emphasizes financial inclusion.
Nikesh Arora (CEO, Palo Alto Networks)
With leadership roles at Google, T‑Mobile, and Airtel, Arora has steered Palo Alto Networks since 2018 through strategic growth in cybersecurity.
Francisco D'Souza (co-founder and ex‑CEO, Cognizant)
Kenya‑born to Goan‑Indian parents, D'Souza led Cognizant's rise as a top IT services giant (2007–2018).
Amit Walia (CEO, Informatica)
From IIT Lucknow to leading global cloud provider Informatica, Walia emphasizes ethical AI and empathy in leadership.
Devika Bulchandani (Global CEO, Ogilvy)
Born in Amritsar and educated in India and the U.S., she became the first Indian-origin leader of this top global advertising firm in 2022.
Thought leaders and academics
Anjali Sud and Sanjay Seth (Harvard Oversight)
Anjali Sud, former Vimeo CEO now leading Tubi, joins Harvard's Board of Overseers. Climate policy expert Sanjay Seth joins the Harvard Alumni Association – both this year.
Fareed Zakaria and Salman Rushdie (Media and Literature)
Prominent commentators and authors – Zakaria in global affairs; Rushdie in literary fiction – shape global discourse, bolstered by their Indian roots.
Arundhati Bhattacharya (Banking Pioneer)
India's first woman Chairperson of SBI (2013–17), later joined Salesforce India. Named among the world's most powerful women, and awarded Padma Shri in January 2025.
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