PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta Meets PM Modi, Highlights India’s Growing Global Role

PepsiCo’s Global Chairman and CEO, Ramon Laguarta, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 16, 2025, marking their first official interaction in India. The meeting comes at a pivotal moment as India strengthens its trade partnerships globally while PepsiCo sharpens its focus on high-growth international markets.

The visit also coincides with PepsiCo’s decision to host its global board meeting in India for the first time in nearly a decade, reflecting the country’s growing strategic importance for the multinational food and beverage giant.

India as a Key Growth Engine for PepsiCo

PepsiCo has identified India as one of its 13 anchor global markets, expected to contribute significantly to the company’s long-term growth trajectory. During the company’s Q1 2025 earnings call, Laguarta noted that the international division is PepsiCo’s biggest growth engine, with India playing a central role, particularly in its convenience foods segment.

? Performance Snapshot:

• Q1 2025: PepsiCo’s international division posted 11% revenue growth.

• Q2 2025 (Apr–Jun): International convenience foods segment grew 4%, with India as a strong contributor.

PepsiCo’s Expanding Presence in India

Laguarta’s visit underscores PepsiCo’s commitment to expanding its footprint in India:

• India is viewed as a “big growth space and investment area”, according to Laguarta.

• PepsiCo continues to invest in infrastructure, brand-building, and local operations.

• The company’s Global Capability Centre in Hyderabad remains a hub for innovation and strategy.

The timing of the visit—just a day before PM Modi’s birthday—also symbolically reinforced the weight PepsiCo attaches to its India operations.

High-Level Delegations Emphasize Commitment

This is not the first senior delegation visit this year. In April 2025, Ramon Laguarta led a delegation of over two dozen executives from PepsiCo’s snacks division to India. The September board visit and Modi meeting further cement India’s role at the heart of PepsiCo’s global growth ambitions.

Conclusion

PepsiCo’s decision to convene its global board in India, coupled with Ramon Laguarta’s meeting with PM Modi, signals a long-term bet on India’s growing consumer base and strategic importance. With strong growth numbers and continued investment, India is firmly positioned as a cornerstone of PepsiCo’s international business strategy.

FAQs on PepsiCo CEO’s Visit to India

1. Who is Ramon Laguarta?
Ramon Laguarta is the Global Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, leading the company’s international expansion and growth strategies.

2. Why did PepsiCo’s CEO meet PM Modi?
The meeting emphasized India’s rising role in PepsiCo’s global strategy and highlighted the company’s commitment to long-term growth in the country.

3. Why is India important for PepsiCo?
India is one of PepsiCo’s 13 anchor global markets, contributing significantly to growth in the convenience foods and snacks portfolio.

4. When was PepsiCo’s last global board meeting in India?
This is the first time in nearly a decade that PepsiCo’s global board has convened in India, underscoring its importance.

5. What are PepsiCo’s future plans in India?
PepsiCo aims to continue investing in infrastructure, expanding its product portfolio, and leveraging India’s large consumer base for long-term growth.