India's Digital Rise Unstoppable, But Trust Is the Key: Google India VP

By siliconindia  |  Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 02:15:00 PM IST

India's Digital Rise Unstoppable, But Trust Is the Key: Google India VP
  • Google sees India as a key digital innovation hub.
  • Trust and AI safety are top priorities for growth.
  • Google commits to compliance and powering India's $1T digital economy.
In a significant endorsement of India's rapidly evolving digital landscape, Google India's new Country Manager and Vice President, Preeti Lobana, has hailed the country as a 'powerhouse' of digital innovation. Speaking in her first major interview since taking charge, Lobana underscored the critical role of trust and security in sustaining the momentum of India’s tech-driven growth, especially as it enters the AI era.
Lobana emphasized that Google is 'deeply committed' to fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem in India, particularly through its Android and Play Store platforms. 'We are all-in', she said, reflecting on the company’s broad engagement across products and services in the Indian market. While she declined to comment on ongoing antitrust proceedings, she made it clear that the company operates within the framework of local laws and regulatory guidelines.
“Google will work with the government and regulatory bodies to ensure full compliance”, she said, in reference to the company’s approach toward evolving legal landscapes, including previous issues around Android TV OS and Play Store policies.
As AI reshapes industries and unlocks new creative avenues, Lobana acknowledged that it also brings challenges like misinformation and deepfakes. Highlighting Google’s proactive approach, she said, “We are enabling watermarks on AI-generated content and offering tools like SynthID for identification”. She called for industry-wide collaboration to combat AI-powered misinformation, stating that this remains a key area of focus for Google and other tech leaders globally.
Lobana also shared her excitement about leading Google India at a pivotal moment when the country’s digital economy is projected to touch $1 trillion in the near future. She noted that Google aims to contribute meaningfully to this journey through its strengths in cloud computing, advertising, and advanced AI solutions.
“India is not just an important market it is a launchpad for innovation”, she said, citing how products like YouTube Shorts and Google Pay were first rolled out in India before going global. According to her, the scale and adoption of digital tools in India are unparalleled. “Who would have thought a few years ago that UPI, and by extension, Google Pay, would witness such widespread adoption?” she remarked.
She described India’s digital journey as 'nothing short of amazing', highlighting how digital payments have transformed consumption and purchasing behavior across all demographics.
Reaffirming the importance of trust and security, Lobana said that the sustainability of India’s digital growth relies heavily on these foundational principles. “None of that good stuff will continue to grow without people having trust and feeling secure”, she noted.
To this end, Google recently unveiled its Google Safety Charter for India, a strategic blueprint to support the country’s AI-led transformation. The charter aims to address online threats, improve cybersecurity for government and enterprises, and ensure responsible AI development. “It’s about tackling challenges collaboratively with the broader ecosystem”, she explained.
Lobana’s comments underscore Google’s long-term commitment to India, as the company continues to invest in talent, technology, and infrastructure across the country. “We are here for the long haul, and we want to bring the best of Google to support India's digital and economic momentum”, she concluded.
With India emerging as a central hub for digital innovation, Google’s continued investment in responsible technology and user-centric development is poised to shape the country’s digital future for years to come.

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