2024 Government Leaders List
The 2024 Indiaspora Government Leaders List recognizes more than 300 Ieaders of the Indian diaspora who have ascended to the highest ranks of government in 20 countries across the globe.
While some are elected officials, others are appointees or civil servants. All have risen to the call for public service. Key agents in shaping politics and policy from a local to global scale, their leadership will impact generations to come.
About
This list honors the rich and diverse leadership of the Global Indian Diaspora—a testament to the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals who inspire future generations every day. From widely recognized figures to unsung pioneers, these visionary leaders are shaping industries and transforming society at large.
The list features CEOs and Board Chairpersons of companies with a Market Cap of USD 2 billion and above. Our research included vetted sources such as the Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, 2025 Forbes Billionaires List and Forbes Global 2000 List. In building our inclusive list, we have also broadened the criteria to feature women leaders who are making a significant mark on the global business landscape in their own right. This list is not merely a showcase of individual success stories but also an acknowledgment of the collective influence of Indian-origin leaders on the world of global business.
While the Indian diaspora are making significant strides in the business world, there is much more advancement needed in achieving gender balance.
Methodology
The Indiaspora Business Leaders 2.0 list includes 90 Business leaders of Indian descent. This powerful group accounts for USD 20 trillion annual revenue globally. This annual revenue is a testament to the economic impact of global Indian leadership.
The primary source of data is several 2025 publications, including the Fortune 500, Forbes Billionaires List and the Forbes Global 2000 List. The market cap and revenue are current as of June 2025 and the data has been sourced through multiple finance sites.
As special points of interest, we would like to note:
- While our list features 11 remarkable women leaders out of 90, we recognize the imperative for greater inclusion and advancement for women in business.
- The list also includes leaders of the largest Indian conglomerates, recognizing their influence and impact on the global stage, as they contribute significantly to the global economy and exemplify the spirit of Indian entrepreneurship.
- We are excited to highlight exceptional individuals, making notable contributions in their home countries across geographies.
- This list is a recognition of multiple leadership styles and a celebration of strategic strength and executional excellence.
Indiaspora offers this edition of the Business Leaders 2.0 list as an acknowledgment of the collective influence of Indian-origin leaders on the world of global business and a celebration of possibilities.
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston
Preet Kaur Gill
MP Gill was first elected to Parliament since 2017 and was promoted to the Shadow Cabinet in April 2020. Preet’s previous role was as Shadow Minister for International Development. She is the first female Sikh MP.
Prior to her entry in federal politics, Preet served at the local level as a councillor for the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in 2012 where she also served as a Cabinet member for Public Health and Protection.
Preet completed her degree in sociology and social work from the University of East London. Following graduation, she worked as a social worker in Israel and in India. Preet continues to volunteer at Gurdwara as a way of giving back and practicing her faith.
Member of the National Council for Zürich
Niklaus-Samuel Gugger
Niklaus-Samuel “Nick” Gugger is an Indian-born Swiss politician currently serving as a member of the Swiss National Council for the Evangelical People’s Party since 2017.
Born in Karnataka, India, he was adopted by a Swiss couple and raised in Switzerland. Gugger’s career in public service began in the City Council of Winterthur (2002-2014), followed by the Cantonal Council of Zürich (2014-2017).
He made history as the first Indian-origin member of the Swiss Parliament. Gugger has been actively involved in social work and has received an honorary doctorate from the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Odisha, India, for his contributions.
His political focus includes foreign policy, intercultural management, and advocating for social justice and children’s welfare. Gugger also serves on the Foreign Policy Committee and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Indiaspora is proud to have Niklaus-Samuel Gugger in our Global Government List.
Member of Parliament for Akerhus
Himanshu Gulati
Himanshu Gulati, is a prominent Indo-Norwegian politician representing the Progress Party. He has served in various significant political roles, including State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Public Security from 2013 to 2014, and in the Office of the Prime Minister from 2014 to 2017. Gulati was also the chairperson of the Progress Party’s Youth from 2012 to 2014.
In 2017, he was elected to the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) for Akershus and re-elected in 2021. He currently serves on the Standing Committee on Education and Research and the Delegation to the Nordic Council. Throughout his career, Gulati has been known for his outspoken views on foreign policy, immigration, and taxation.
His efforts have significantly impacted the development of Akershus and the integration of immigrant minorities in Norway. Indiaspora is proud to have Himanshu Gulati in our Global Government List.
Member of Parliament for Calgary Forest Lawn
Jasraj Singh Hallan
MP Hallan was elected as the Member of Parliament for Calgary Forest Lawn in October 2019. Jasraj is a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and also serves as the Deputy Shadow Minister of Multiculturalism.
He has built many homes for families in Calgary.
Jasraj has a certified Master Builder designation and ran a very successful homebuilding business. He graduated from Lester Pearson High School and has an accounting degree from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Member of the House of Lords
Ayesha Hazarika
Baroness Ayesha Hazarika is a British politician and Labour peer in the House of Lords, having been appointed in 2019. Ayesha, born in 1976, has had a distinguished career in politics and public service, previously serving as an advisor to several Labour leaders, including Ed Miliband and Harriet Harman.
With a background in media and communications, she is known for her insightful commentary on politics and social issues, regularly appearing in various media outlets. Ayesha has championed causes related to social justice, equality, and women’s rights throughout her career.
As a member of the House of Lords, she actively contributes to debates on pressing national issues and works to represent diverse voices in the political landscape. Indiaspora is proud to have Baroness Ayesha Hazarika in our Global Government Leaders List.
Member of Parliament for Solihull West and Shirley
Neil Shastri-Hurst
Neil Shastri-Hurst is a British politician serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Solihull West and Shirley since 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, Shastri-Hurst was elected during a competitive election, showcasing his commitment to local issues.
Prior to his election, he worked in various roles within the public sector, focusing on community development and public service. Known for his advocacy on mental health and education, he actively engages with constituents to address their concerns and promote policies that benefit the local community.
In Parliament, Shastri-Hurst is committed to transparency and accountability in governance, striving to create a positive impact in his constituency and beyond. Indiaspora is proud to have Neil Shastri-Hurst on our Government Leaders list.
United States Representative, Washington State
Pramila Jayapal
Congresswoman Jayapal, grew up in India, Indonesia and Singapore, and came to the United States by herself at the age of 16. Pramila was elected in 2016 and is now serving her second term in Congress representing Washington’s 7th District. She is the first South Asian American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and one of only 14 naturalized citizens currently serving in the United States Congress. She is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, where she serves as Vice Chair of the Immigration Subcommittee, and on the House Education & Labor and Budget Committees.
She is also the elected Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Immigration Subcommittee Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific Asian Caucus; and a Vice Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus. She has been a leader on immigration, including fighting the Trump Administration’s inhumane policies of separating children from their parents and crafting legislation to help expand legal immigration to America. She has also championed legislation to address income inequality, such as the $15 minimum wage and expanded collective bargaining rights for workers.
She has worked extensively on healthcare issues as the lead sponsor of the Medicare for All bill in the House, and she is the author of the College for All Act, which would ensure every American has access to higher education. She has authored other landmark pieces of progressive legislation including the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act and the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. She has also prioritized legislation to transition our economy to 100% clean energy and address the crisis of climate justice.
Prior to serving in elected office, Pramila spent twenty years working internationally and domestically in global public health and development as an award-winning national advocate for women’s, immigrant, civil, and human rights. She spent almost a decade working on global health and development for the international nonprofit organization, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), and spent 12 years as the founder and Executive Director of OneAmerica. She has worked in a number of industries in both the public and private sector, and published her first book in 2000, Pilgrimage to India: A Woman Revisits Her Homeland.
Member of Parliament for Smethwick
Gurinder Singh Josan
Gurinder Singh Josan is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Smethwick since the 2024 general election. Josan has a long history of public service, having first been elected as a counselor for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in 2002, where he served until 2010. He also sits on Labour’s National Executive Committee and the West Midlands’ Strategic Policing and Crime Board.
A dedicated community leader, Josan is a trustee of the HOPE Not Hate charitable trust and a former trustee of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick. He has also contributed to education governance, serving as a governor for three schools. Additionally, Josan has experience in property management, owning several rental properties. Indiaspora is proud to have Gurinder Josan in our Global Government Leaders List.
Member of Parliament for Ashford
Sojan Joseph
Sojan Joseph is an Indian-born British politician who has been serving as the Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashford since the 2024 general election. Prior to entering politics, Joseph had a distinguished career as a mental health nurse in the National Health Service (NHS), eventually becoming head of nursing for community mental health services at the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust.
In May 2023, he was elected as a Labour councilor for the Aylesford & East Stour Ward on Ashford Borough Council. After winning the Ashford seat in 2024, Joseph made his maiden speech in the House of Commons, contributing to a debate on immigration and home affairs, reflecting his commitment to social welfare and community issues. Indiaspora is proud to have Sojan Joseph in our Global Government Leaders List.
Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton West
Warinder Juss
Warinder Juss is a British barrister and legal scholar who became a Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Wolverhampton South West in the 2024 general election. Born in the West Midlands to Indian Sikh parents, Juss has a distinguished legal career, specializing in human rights, immigration, and public law.
He has been a professor at King’s College London and authored numerous academic works. Juss has also served as a barrister at 1 Crown Office Row, where he represented clients in complex legal cases involving civil liberties and human rights.
As a public figure, he has been active in promoting equality and justice, gaining a reputation for his expertise in legal matters, particularly in defending vulnerable populations. His election to Parliament marks his transition into a more prominent political role. Indiaspora is proud to have Warinder Juss in our Global Government Leaders List.
Member of the House of Lords
Ajay Kakkar
Lord Ajay Kakkar is a British surgeon and academic, currently serving as Emeritus Professor of Surgery at University College London (UCL). He has a distinguished career in medical research, focusing on thrombosis and its implications in cancer. After obtaining his medical degree from King’s College London, he earned a PhD from Imperial College London.
Created a Life Peer in 2010, Lord Kakkar sits on the cross benches of the House of Lords. He held significant roles, including Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission and the Judicial Appointments Commission. In addition, he has chaired various organizations, including UCLPartners and The King’s Fund, and is involved with the UK Biobank and the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research. Indiaspora is proud to have Lord Ajay Kakkar in our Global Government Leaders List.
Member of Parliament for Southampton West
Satvir Kaur
Satvir Kaur is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Southampton West since the 2024 general election. Prior to her parliamentary career, Kaur made her mark in local government as the first female leader of Southampton City Council, a position she held from 2022 to 2024.
Kaur has been a strong advocate for community cohesion and social justice. She is particularly known for her work on affordable housing, environmental issues, and improving local services.
With a background in activism and community organizing, Kaur has focused on policies that aim to tackle inequality and promote diversity, ensuring that voices from all sectors of society are heard. Indiaspora is proud to have Satvir Kaur in our Global Government Leaders List.
United States Representative, Caliifornia
Ro Khanna
Congressman Ro Khanna represents California’s 17th Congressional District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is serving in his second term. Ro sits on the House Budget, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform committees and is first vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He also serves as an Assistant Whip for the Democratic Caucus.
Prior to serving in Congress, Rep. Khanna taught economics at Stanford University, law at Santa Clara University, and American Jurisprudence at San Francisco State University. Ro wrote the book Entrepreneurial Nation: Why Manufacturing is Still Key to America’s Future and worked as a lawyer specializing in intellectual property law. Rep. Khanna served in President Barack Obama’s administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 2012, California Governor Jerry Brown appointed him to the California Workforce Investment Board. He has also provided pro bono legal counsel to Hurricane Katrina victims with the Mississippi Center for Justice, and co-authored an amicus brief on the fair housing U.S. Supreme Court case, Mount Holly v. Mt. Holly Gardens Citizens in Action, Inc.
Rep. Khanna graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Chicago and received a law degree from Yale University. As a student at the University of Chicago, he walked precincts during Barack Obama’s first campaign for the Illinois Senate in 1996. He enjoys cheering for the Golden State Warriors, watching movies, and traveling.
Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
Kamal Khera
MP Khera was recently appointed the Minister of Seniors in the Canada elections of 2021. She was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Brampton West in 2015. Kamal has also served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health (2015-2016), Minister of National Revenue (2016-2017), and Minister of International Development (2017- present).
Kamal is a registered nurse, community volunteer, and political activist. She has gained diverse experience in the healthcare field through her professional experience with the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Peel Family Shelter, and William Osler Health System. Recently, she worked as a registered nurse in the oncology unit at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Toronto. She previously served as chairperson of South Asian Canadians Heritage Foundation, a mentor and program coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, and an event coordinator with Sick Kids Foundation. She also hosted Youth Vision, a local TV talk show that explored issues surrounding young South Asian Canadians.
Kamal is passionate and driven to champion global issues of gender equality, reduce global poverty and inequality, support displaced persons, and increase access to education.
United States Representative - Illinois
Raja Krishnamoorthi
Congressman Krishnamoorthi was elected in November 2016 to represent the 8th District of Illinois. Raja also serves on the Oversight Committee, for which he is also the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, as well as on the House Intelligence Committee. In addition to this committee work, he was selected as an Assistant Whip and serves on the Steering and Policy Committee.
Raja pursued public service while practicing law and was appointed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan as a Special Assistant Attorney General. As a member of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, he has also served as Illinois Deputy Treasurer. After his time in the Illinois Treasurer’s Office, he returned to the private sector, serving as president of research-oriented small businesses developing technology in the national security and renewable energy industries. He has also served as the Vice-Chair of the Illinois Innovation Council and co-founded InSPIRE, a non-profit that provides inner-city students and veterans with training in solar technology.
Congressman Krishnamoorthi graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University with a degree in mechanical engineering and a certificate from the Princeton School of Public Policy. He then graduated with honors from Harvard Law School and clerked for a federal judge before practicing law in Chicago.
Member of Parliament for Dudley
Sonia Kumar
Sonia Kumar is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Dudley, elected in 2024 as a member of the Labour Party. With a background in public service and advocacy, Kumar has been a prominent voice for her constituents, focusing on issues related to social justice, economic opportunity, and education.
Before her election to Parliament, she worked in community organizing, where she developed a reputation for her dedication to improving the lives of underrepresented groups. Her work in Parliament reflects her commitment to creating equal opportunities for all and enhancing public services.
Kumar is passionate about championing the needs of her local community, particularly in areas such as health, housing, and employment. Indiaspora is proud to have Sonia Kumar in our Global Government Leaders List.
Member of Parliament
Virendra Lal
Virendra Lal is a Fijian politician who has been serving as a Member of Parliament since 2018. Prior to his political career, Lal was a well-known figure in the agricultural sector, where he made significant contributions to rural development and sustainable farming practices.
His expertise in agriculture helped shape his political focus, as he became an advocate for agricultural reform, rural community support, and economic development. In Parliament, Lal has been active in pushing for policies that improve the livelihoods of Fijian farmers and promote food security.
As of 2024, he continues to play a key role in advancing Fiji’s agricultural and rural sectors while addressing broader issues of national importance, such as economic resilience and environmental sustainability. Indiaspora is proud to have Virendra Lal in our Global Government Leaders List.
Member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage
Shuvaloy Majumdar
Shuvaloy Majumdar is a prominent Canadian political strategist and international affairs expert. A Calgary native, he has dedicated over two decades to advancing freedom and security.
Majumdar served as a foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Minister John Baird, playing a crucial role in shaping Canada’s international security policies. From 2006 to 2010, he led democratic reform efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan with the International Republican Institute.
Majumdar has also worked on complex commercial projects as Global Director at Harper & Associates and has been a Munk Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. In July 2023, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage, furthering his commitment to public service and advocacy for Canadian leadership on global issues. Indiaspora is proud to have Shuvaloy Majumdar in our Global Government Leaders List.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Migration and Citizenship
Seema Malhotra
MP Malhotra has been the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston since 2011, and was re-elected in 2019. Seema has served as Shadow Employment Minister under Keir Starmer since April 2020. From 2014-2015, she served as Shadow Home Office Minister for Preventing Violence against Women and Girls where she led on aspects of the Serious Crime Bill for Labour.
Prior to entering Parliament, Seema was a freelance business and public service adviser working with the video game and film industries. She has over ten years’ experience with leading firms Accenture and PriceWaterhouseCoopers working in strategy and IT systems development. Seema has worked across Whitehall with justice agencies and creative industries. She is the founder and President of the Fabian Women’s Network. She is on the Fabian Society Executive and a former Chair of the Fabian Society.
Seema completed her undergraduate studies in politics and philosophy from the University of Warwick and received her postgraduate degree in business from the University of Aston.
Member of Parliament for Swan
Zaneta Mascarenhas
Zaneta Mascarenhas, is a trailblazing Australian politician and engineer of Indian origin. She pursued science and engineering at Curtin University. Over her 15-year engineering career, Mascarenhas worked in various sites across regional WA and Victoria, often as one of the few women on site, and played a significant role in climate change action.
Mascarenhas transitioned to politics, winning the seat of Swan in the 2022 federal election, becoming the first woman and person of Goan origin to do so. As a member of the Australian Labor Party, she focuses on climate policy, social justice, and representing her diverse community in Swan.