Nasscom, the influential voice of India’s $250 billion IT industry, unveiled its new Chairperson on Thursday: Srikant Velamakanni. This appointment signals a bold step forward as the association tackles AI revolutions and international expansion challenges.
Replacing Sindhu Gangadharan of SAP Labs India, whose tenure ends in April 2026, Velamakanni assumes leadership after serving more than six years in key Nasscom roles, including Vice Chairman. His background as co-founder of an early AI-centric company equips him uniquely for this position.
Collaborating with President Rajesh Nambiar, Velamakanni will guide industry agendas through priorities like enterprise AI integration, data analytics, ethical tech development, and go-to-market strategies worldwide. These efforts mirror the dynamic shifts in the global technology ecosystem.
‘Velamakanni combines entrepreneurship with profound AI knowledge—a perfect fit for this role,’ Nambiar remarked. ‘His guidance will solidify our industry as the go-to partner for reliable AI transformations globally.’
A key focus under Velamakanni will be turbocharging AI in service sectors, spurring product innovations, and championing agentic AI systems. This strategy positions India as the premier hub for sophisticated, autonomous AI solutions tailored to specific industries.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Velamakanni shared, ‘AI progress offers businesses everywhere a chance to reinvent themselves. India stands ready to lead this shift. We’ll prioritize AI-driven evolution in services and products, preparing our talent to harness AI effectively.’
Gangadharan, handing over the reins, affirmed, ‘With immense ambition and responsibility, Srikant is set to elevate our AI agenda further. My best wishes for his successful tenure.’
In related news, Kishor Patil from KPIT Technologies has been named the new Vice President by the Executive Council, bolstering Nasscom’s strategic direction.
This leadership refresh arrives amid surging AI investments and geopolitical tech tensions, underscoring Nasscom’s commitment to proactive industry stewardship. Velamakanni’s tenure promises to amplify India’s competitive edge in AI innovation and digital exports.
