The Indian Diaspora
Indian-Origin CEOs
Why so many global companies are led by Indian-origin executives, from Google to Microsoft, and what explains this success.
Many of the world’s biggest companies have been led by Indian-origin CEOs.
Examples
- Sundar Pichai: Google and Alphabet.
- Satya Nadella: Microsoft.
- Shantanu Narayen: Adobe.
- Arvind Krishna: IBM.
- Indra Nooyi: PepsiCo (2006-2018).
- Ajay Banga: Mastercard, then World Bank President from 2023.
Possible reasons
- Education: engineering and management training, including at IITs and IIMs.
- English skills.
- Selection: skilled migration brought top talent to the US.
- Adaptability from navigating India’s diversity.
- Networks among Indian professionals.
Selection effect
Economists note that US immigration policies selected highly educated Indians, so the diaspora in the US is unusually skilled.
Influence
Indian-origin leaders have strengthened business ties between India and other countries.
Other fields
Indian-origin politicians have also risen, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (2022-2024).
A graduate from IIT Kharagpur moves to the US for a master's degree, joins a tech company and rises over two decades to become its CEO.
Skilled migration selected highly educated Indians for the US.
- Indian-origin CEOs have led Google, Microsoft, Adobe, IBM and more.
- Education, English and networks help explain success.
- Immigration policy selected highly skilled Indians.
- Their success strengthens India's business links.
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