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OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu resigns as sales slide

OnePlus India is facing a leadership change as its CEO, Robin Liu, has stepped down from his role. Liu, who has overseen the company’s operations in India for several years, will remain in charge until the end of March, while a replacement has not yet been announced.

The resignation comes at a difficult time for the brand. OnePlus has seen a sharp decline in smartphone shipments and a fall in its market share in India. The company has been struggling to keep pace with competitors, as other smartphone makers have aggressively expanded in the country.

During his tenure, Liu helped establish OnePlus as a recognized brand in India, but the recent performance downturn has put pressure on the company’s operations. The decision to step down reportedly reflects both personal considerations and the challenges of navigating a highly competitive market.

Despite the leadership change, OnePlus has reassured customers that its India operations will continue without disruption. The company is focusing on maintaining its product lineup, expanding retail availability, and keeping up with consumer demand in a challenging environment.

The departure of the CEO also comes amid wider strategic changes at the parent company, with some restructuring taking place to improve efficiency and align the business with evolving market dynamics.

For OnePlus India, the next few months will be crucial. The brand must stabilize its operations, rebuild customer confidence, and regain momentum to stay relevant in a market dominated by established competitors.

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Saudi Aramco CEO opts out of Houston Meet

Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser has decided not to attend a major global energy conference in Houston as tensions rise in West Asia due to the ongoing Iran conflict. He chose to remain in Saudi Arabia to manage the situation, which is affecting oil supply and regional stability.

Nasser was expected to take part in CERAWeek, one of the world’s most important gatherings for the energy sector. His absence is seen as significant because he is a key voice in global oil discussions.

The decision comes at a time when the conflict involving Iran has created uncertainty in global oil markets. Tensions in the region have increased risks to oil production and transportation, especially in critical areas.

One major concern is the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which a large portion of the world’s oil supply passes. Any disruption here can directly impact global oil prices and availability. Recent developments have raised fears of supply shortages.

Reports suggest that energy infrastructure in the Gulf region is under threat, forcing companies like Saudi Aramco to take precautionary steps. These include adjusting production levels and finding safer routes for oil shipments to avoid conflict zones.

The situation has already led to rising oil prices and increased volatility in global markets. If tensions continue, it could lead to a broader energy crisis affecting economies worldwide.

Other energy leaders are also changing their plans due to the situation. Some are attending international meetings virtually instead of traveling, showing the seriousness of the ongoing crisis.

Nasser’s decision highlights the growing pressure on major oil producers to respond quickly to geopolitical risks.

Also Read: Rupee falls to record low of ₹93.9/$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Flipkart CFO steps down ahead of IPO

Sriram Venkataraman has stepped down as Chief Financial Officer of Flipkart, marking an important leadership change at a time when the company is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO).

The company said he will stay on for some time to help with a smooth transition, though it has not shared specific reasons for his decision to leave. His exit comes after nearly a decade at Flipkart, where he played a key role in building and managing the company’s financial operations.

During his time at Flipkart, Venkataraman held several senior roles and became CFO in 2018. He was closely involved in major business decisions and helped guide the company through rapid growth in India’s competitive e-commerce market.

Following his departure, Ravi Iyer, who currently handles finance for Flipkart’s marketplace business, is expected to take on broader responsibilities for now. The company may look for a permanent replacement in the coming months.

The timing of this leadership change is significant. Flipkart is actively working towards a public listing in India, which is expected to be one of the biggest IPOs in the country’s tech sector. As part of these preparations, the company has already shifted its holding structure from Singapore to India, a move seen as a key step for listing on local stock exchanges.

Flipkart, owned by Walmart, is one of India’s largest online retailers and a major competitor to Amazon. It has been steadily expanding its business while also focusing on improving profitability ahead of going public.

Also Read: Elon Musk liable for misleading Twitter investors

 

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Elon Musk liable for misleading Twitter investors

A US jury has ruled that Elon Musk is liable for misleading investors during his high-profile $44 billion takeover of Twitter in 2022. The decision comes after a long-running legal battle brought by shareholders who claimed his public statements caused confusion and financial losses.

The case focused mainly on a series of tweets Musk posted in May 2022, including one where he said the deal was “on hold” due to concerns about fake or spam accounts on the platform. According to the jury, these statements were inaccurate and had a direct impact on Twitter’s share price, which fluctuated sharply at the time.

Investors argued that such posts influenced market sentiment and led some shareholders to sell their stock at lower prices, resulting in losses. The jury agreed that Musk’s comments were misleading and played a role in affecting investor decisions during a critical phase of the acquisition.

However, the ruling stopped short of fully backing claims that Musk carried out a deliberate fraud scheme. While he was found responsible for making misleading statements, the jury did not conclude that he intentionally planned to deceive investors on a large scale.

The lawsuit also claimed that Musk’s repeated criticism of Twitter’s business, particularly his focus on the number of bot accounts — was an attempt to renegotiate the deal or lower the purchase price. Musk had initially tried to back out of the acquisition before eventually completing it later in 2022 at the agreed value.

Also Read: OpenAI merges ChatGPT, Codex, Atlas

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UK honours Tata Chairman with Knighthood

The United Kingdom has awarded an honorary knighthood to Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Tata Group, in recognition of his contributions to strengthening business relations between India and the UK. The honour reflects his leadership in expanding the group’s presence and investments in the British economy.

Chandrasekaran received the distinction under the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division), one of the UK’s most prestigious honours for individuals who have made notable contributions to public life, business, and international cooperation. The award has been conferred with the approval of King Charles III.

Under Chandrasekaran’s leadership since 2017, the Tata Group has strengthened its footprint in the UK across sectors such as automotive, steel, information technology, and hospitality. The group owns major British brands, including Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley, and is among the largest employers in the country’s industrial sector.

The recognition also highlights the Tata Group’s long-standing commitment to the UK market, where it employs tens of thousands of people and continues to invest in manufacturing, technology, and research. These efforts have played a key role in deepening economic and commercial ties between the two countries.

Reacting to the honour, Chandrasekaran expressed gratitude and said he was humbled by the recognition. He emphasised the Tata Group’s enduring relationship with the UK and its continued focus on building partnerships across business and academia. The group has collaborated with leading institutions such as University of Oxford and London School of Economics, reflecting its broader engagement beyond industry.

An honorary knighthood is awarded to foreign nationals and does not grant the title “Sir,” but it remains a significant global recognition of leadership and influence.

Also Read: India appoints Vikram Doraiswami as envoy to China

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India appoints Vikram Doraiswami as envoy to China

India has appointed senior Indian Foreign Service officer Vikram K. Doraiswami as its next Ambassador to China, a significant diplomatic decision as New Delhi continues to navigate its sensitive and strategic ties with Beijing. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the appointment, noting that he will assume the role in the near future.

Doraiswami is currently serving as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and belongs to the 1992 batch of the IFS. Over the course of his three-decade-long career, he has held several key diplomatic assignments, including serving as Ambassador to Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, as well as postings in South Korea and other important missions. His extensive experience makes him one of India’s most seasoned diplomats.

Importantly, Doraiswami is regarded as a China expert. He has prior experience working in Beijing during the early years of his career and has also received training in the Chinese language. This background is expected to prove valuable as he steps into one of India’s most challenging diplomatic roles.

He will replace Pradeep Kumar Rawat, who served as India’s Ambassador to China during a period marked by both tensions and sustained diplomatic engagement. Rawat played a key role in maintaining communication between the two countries amid ongoing border issues and efforts to stabilize relations.

Doraiswami’s appointment comes at a time when India-China relations remain delicate. Tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh have persisted in recent years, even as both countries continue military and diplomatic discussions to ease the situation. At the same time, economic and regional considerations make continued engagement between the two nations essential.

By appointing a diplomat with deep regional expertise and prior China experience, India appears to be signaling its intent to maintain steady and informed engagement with Beijing. Doraiswami is expected to focus on strengthening dialogue mechanisms, managing differences, and identifying areas of cooperation where possible.

Also Read: Meta to pay $1,000–$3,000 per month to creators on Facebook

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HDFC Bank chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigns

India’s largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank, faced a sudden leadership shock as part‑time chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigned with immediate effect, citing “differences over values and ethics” with certain internal practices. Chakraborty, a retired IAS officer who became chairman in 2021 and was re‑appointed in 2024, did not elaborate on the specifics of his concerns, only noting that “certain happenings and practices” over the past two years conflicted with his personal values.

Following the resignation, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of veteran banker Keki Mistry as interim chairman for a three‑month term. Mistry, a long‑time executive within the HDFC Group, reassured investors and employees about operational stability and continuity, emphasizing that the leadership transition is smooth and governance remains strong.

The news triggered a sharp market reaction. HDFC Bank shares plunged around 8% in early trading, reflecting investor concern over governance uncertainty and strategic direction. The decline marked one of the steepest intraday drops in recent months, though prices later moderated slightly. The resignation came at a sensitive time as the bank continues to navigate the integration and operational pressures following its merger with HDFC Ltd, creating one of India’s largest financial conglomerates.

In response to the turmoil, the RBI clarified that its supervisory review had found no material governance or financial irregularities at the bank, affirming that it remains well-capitalized, liquid, and operationally sound.

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Nita Ambani receives KISS Humanitarian Award

Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, received the 2025 KISS Humanitarian Award at the campus of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in recognition of her contributions to social and humanitarian causes.

The award was presented by Nobel Laureate Mohan Munasinghe in the presence of Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT and KISS, along with other dignitaries and thousands of students.

Speaking at the event, Ambani encouraged students to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. Addressing more than 40,000 students of the institute, she said their current achievements were just the beginning and urged them to remain focused and determined in pursuing their ambitions.

She also stressed the importance of equality in opportunities for both boys and girls, saying that everyone has the potential to succeed. Ambani advised the students to stay on the path of honesty and values while building their future.

During her speech, Ambani praised the work of KISS and KIIT, describing them as institutions that have transformed the lives of thousands of underprivileged children by providing free education and opportunities. She said the institutions have created a powerful model of inclusive education.

Expressing gratitude for the honour, Ambani said the award belongs to the entire team of Reliance Foundation that works across India in areas such as education, healthcare, rural development, sports and women’s empowerment. She also said meeting the students at KISS was inspiring and gave her confidence about the country’s future.

Ambani also appreciated the rich culture and traditions of Odisha and said she felt privileged to visit the land associated with Lord Jagannath.

Instituted in 2008, the KISS Humanitarian Award is the highest honour of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences and recognises individuals and organisations for outstanding service to humanity.

Also Read: NCLT clears Adani Enterprises plan to acquire Jaiprakash Associates

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Nithin Kamath questions banking app permissions

Nithin Kamath, co-founder and CEO of Zerodha, has raised concerns over the permissions sought by several mobile banking applications, saying he does not use net banking apps because many of them request access to personal data that he considers unnecessary.

In a post on the social media platform X (Twitter), Kamath said many banking apps ask for permissions such as access to SMS messages, phone data and contact lists. He described these requirements as “invasive” and questioned why such access is needed for basic banking services.

Kamath said the demand for such permissions does not make sense and may pose privacy risks for users. According to him, financial apps should ideally follow global cybersecurity practices, where applications only request the minimum permissions required to function.

Because of these concerns, Kamath said he prefers not to install or use net banking apps on his smartphone. His comments highlight the growing debate around data privacy and how financial technology platforms handle sensitive user information.

He also pointed out that digital platforms should focus on protecting user privacy while still ensuring security. Kamath noted that unnecessary permissions could make users uncomfortable and reduce trust in financial apps.

Referring to his own company’s approach, Kamath said Zerodha’s trading platforms are designed to function without requesting unnecessary permissions from users’ devices. He said this approach is intended to ensure that user data remains protected while still offering secure services.

His remarks triggered discussions online, with many social media users sharing similar concerns about the level of access requested by banking and financial apps. Some users agreed that certain permissions appear excessive for basic transactions and account management.

At the same time, others noted that banks may request access to features like SMS to enable security measures such as transaction alerts, device verification or fraud detection.

Also Read: Roche expands AI computing with Nvidia chips

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Jensen Huang projects $1 trillion AI revenue by 2027

Jensen Huang has projected that the artificial intelligence (AI) computing market could generate up to $1 trillion in revenue by 2027, reflecting the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure worldwide.

Speaking at the company’s annual developer conference, Nvidia GTC in San Jose, Huang said the demand for AI chips and data-center systems is rising much faster than previously expected. The estimate is significantly higher than earlier projections and even exceeds the most optimistic forecasts from analysts.

Just last year, Nvidia had suggested that the market opportunity for AI data-center hardware could reach about $500 billion. However, Huang said accelerating investments by major technology companies and cloud providers have pushed the potential market size much higher.

Large technology firms are rapidly building AI infrastructure to train and deploy increasingly powerful AI models. This has led to strong demand for Nvidia’s advanced processors and integrated computing systems used in data centers around the world.

During his keynote address, Huang also introduced new AI platforms designed to support the next generation of computing workloads. These include systems based on Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture and future platforms such as Vera Rubin, aimed at powering large-scale AI data centers.

According to Huang, the AI industry is now entering a new phase focused on AI inference, the stage where trained models are deployed to perform real-time tasks. This includes applications such as digital assistants, automated software systems, robotics, and autonomous machines.

The shift toward inference computing is expected to significantly increase the demand for AI hardware and specialized data-center infrastructure. Nvidia believes this trend will drive the next wave of growth for the semiconductor industry.

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