Meta Platforms has announced the appointment of Arun Srinivas as its new Managing Director and Head of India Operations, effective July 1, 2025. Srinivas, who currently leads Meta’s India ads business, brings extensive experience in the technology and advertising sectors and will now oversee Meta’s strategic growth and operations across one of its most important global markets.
Arun Srinivas to Lead Meta India Amid Regulatory Challenges
Arun Srinivas’s elevation comes at a critical time for Meta, as the company continues to navigate regulatory scrutiny in India. In November 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a fine on Meta for alleged anti-competitive practices, citing violations related to data sharing and platform dominance.
The CCI had also issued a five-year ban restricting WhatsApp, Meta’s popular messaging platform, from sharing user data with other Meta-owned platforms like Facebook and Instagram for advertising purposes.
Meta challenged the CCI’s decision, claiming that the order would adversely impact its ad-targeting capabilities and user experience in India. The company received temporary relief earlier in 2025, when an Indian tribunal suspended the five-year data-sharing restriction, pending further legal review.
Arun Srinivas: From Ads Head to Country Head
According to his LinkedIn profile, Srinivas has been instrumental in driving Meta’s ads business in India, working closely with brands, agencies, and small businesses. His promotion signals Meta’s intent to strengthen its leadership in India and deepen its engagement with local regulators, businesses, and developers.
Srinivas is expected to play a key role in:
- Leading Meta’s India strategy across all platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads
- Navigating the complex regulatory landscape
- Driving advertising growth and user engagement
- Fostering local partnerships and developer ecosystems
India: A Key Market for Meta
India is one of Meta’s largest markets by user base, especially for WhatsApp and Instagram. The country is central to Meta’s vision of building a connected digital economy, with growing opportunities in areas like
- Digital commerce
- Small business advertising
- Creator monetization
- AI-powered content discovery
The appointment of Arun Srinivas is expected to bring renewed focus and continuity to Meta’s India operations at a time when data privacy, platform accountability, and fair competition remain top policy concerns.
