Google announced the appointment of Preeti Lobana as its new Country Manager and Vice President for India . In her role, Lobana will lead Google India's sales and operations, reinforcing the company's commitment to the rapidly growing digital economy in the country.

Sanjay Gupta, President of Asia-Pacific at Google, praised Lobana's leadership, stating, “Her passion for customer-centricity has fueled impactful solutions for businesses across industries, empowering millions to thrive in the digital age”. He emphasized that her leadership will be crucial as Google deepens its engagement with India's unique ecosystem, particularly by leveraging AI advancements like Gemini 2.0 to enhance digital inclusion and unlock significant economic opportunities for all Indians.

Lobana will collaborate closely with Roma Datta Chobey, who served as the interim Country Manager and will continue her role as Managing Director for Google India's Digital Native Industries.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Lobana remarked, “India's dynamic spirit and Google's cutting-edge technology create a powerful synergy. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment to shape the future with AI, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for businesses to boost productivity, solve critical challenges, and create innovative solutions”.

Before this appointment, Lobana was Google's Vice President for gTech, overseeing various operations including Partner and Publisher Operations. Her extensive experience includes leadership roles at NatWest Group, American Express, Standard Chartered Bank, and ANZ Grindlays Bank.

In financial news, Google India reported a 6.1% increase in net profit to Rs 1,424.9 crore for the fiscal year ending March 2024, up from Rs 1,342.5 crore in FY23. The company's total income reached Rs 7,097.5 crore, with a significant portion coming from ongoing operations.

Google aims to empower 10 million people in India with AI digital literacy, targeting students, job seekers, educators, startups, developers, and civil officials.