Google Cloud has announced the appointment of Sashikumar Sreedharan as its new Managing Director for India, a pivotal leadership change aimed at accelerating the company’s growth and AI-first strategy in one of its most critical global markets. Sreedharan takes over from Bikram Singh Bedi, who has been instrumental in leading Google Cloud’s India operations for the past four and a half years and will now transition to a broader strategic role as Vice President for Google Cloud’s Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
Sreedharan’s appointment, effective July 1, 2025, positions him at the helm of Google Cloud’s go-to-market organization in India. His mandate will involve working closely with the company’s extensive network of enterprise customers, digital native businesses, partners, and the vibrant developer ecosystem, particularly as they build for an “AI-first future.” India’s public cloud services market is projected to reach an impressive $24.2 billion by 2028, making this leadership transition highly strategic for Google Cloud as it intensifies competition with rivals like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
A seasoned technology industry veteran, Sreedharan brings over three decades of invaluable experience to his new role. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for Google Cloud APAC since September 2023, where he played a critical role in driving regional operations and growth. His distinguished career also includes a significant tenure as Managing Director at Microsoft India, where he led their enterprise business, along with leadership positions at global technology giants such as SAP and IBM.
Karan Bajwa, President, Google Cloud, Asia Pacific, expressed strong confidence in Sreedharan’s capabilities. “AI is poised to redefine India’s industries and supercharge the productivity and creativity of its vast talent pool,” Bajwa stated. “With our deep AI heritage, cutting-edge technical infrastructure, and innovative solutions, Google Cloud is uniquely positioned to partner with Indian businesses and the public sector to harness AI’s transformative power. As Sashi takes on the leadership of our team in India, I’m confident he will further propel our organization and our customers to their next phase of growth in this crucial market.”
Google Cloud has seen significant momentum in India, serving a wide array of prominent customers including HDFC Bank, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, Flipkart, Myntra, and Apollo 24/7. The company is also actively collaborating with government-backed initiatives such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), the Karmayogi platform, and various state governments, reinforcing its commitment to India’s digital transformation journey.
Sreedharan, reflecting on his new role, stated, “My time as COO for APAC has deeply affirmed my belief in Google Cloud’s winning strategy and powerful AI-first platform. I am excited to return to the field and to work with our customers to advance their innovation agenda.” Bikram Singh Bedi also shared his sentiments, expressing pride in the business built in India and looking forward to contributing to APAC’s strategic priorities under Sashi’s leadership.
This leadership transition underscores Google Cloud’s commitment to deepening its footprint in the Indian market, focusing on AI-driven solutions, and bolstering its position as a key enabler of digital transformation across various sectors in the country.
Key Highlights:
- Google Cloud has appointed Sashikumar Sreedharan as its new Managing Director for India, succeeding Bikram Singh Bedi, who will take on a strategic role within Google Cloud APAC.
- Sreedharan will lead Google Cloud’s go-to-market strategy in India, focusing on enterprise, digital native customers, partners, and the developer ecosystem, particularly for AI-first solutions.
- A tech veteran with over 30 years of experience, Sreedharan previously served as COO for Google Cloud APAC and held leadership positions at Microsoft India, SAP, and IBM.
- This appointment underscores Google Cloud’s commitment to capitalizing on India’s rapidly growing cloud market and driving AI adoption across industries and the public sector.