P Balaji

Balaji is a distinguished leader in the telecom and IT sector, currently serving as the Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer at Vodafone Idea Limited. As a member of the Core Leadership Team (CLT), he played a pivotal role in successfully planning and executing the world's largest telecom merger within a record two years. His responsibilities encompass Regulatory, Public Policy, and Government Relations activities, as well as Industry advocacy, Corporate Communications, Reputation Management, and CSR.

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Balaji's journey began in 1993, pioneering the telecom sector's growth. He has held leadership positions in technology, devices companies, and telecom operators, including roles at Nokia India, Sony Mobile, TATA Group, AT&T, Ericsson, and Lucent Technologies.

Balaji is actively involved in several prestigious industry associations, currently serving as the Vice Chairperson of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and Chairman of the ASSOCHAM National Digital Communications Council. He is also a member of national councils for prominent industry chambers like CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, and All India Management Association.

Throughout his career, Balaji has been passionate about local manufacturing, R&D, and capacity development, advocating for initiatives in these areas. He has been instrumental in introducing cutting-edge technologies in India, generating employment opportunities, and contributing to the country's economic growth. Balaji holds a degree in Electronics & Communications Engineering from IIT Roorkee and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, specializing in Marketing, Finance, and Strategy.