India's Steel Downstream Future

Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I bring over 33 years of comprehensive leadership experience across the global steel and energy landscape. I have held CEO-level roles at Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS India), where I led end-to-end functions in projects, operations, and sales. At JSPL, I spearheaded the fastest greenfield downstream commissioning in Indian steel history, delivering a 3.4 MTPA cold rolling complex in Odisha within 24 months. At AM/NS, I managed 5 plants across India and Indonesia, achieving a ₹23,000 crore turnover, and received the Steel CEO of the Year Award (2017) for a nationally recognized turnaround, later documented as a case study at IIM Ahmedabad.

I have executed mergers and acquisitions (e.g., Uttam Galva and Indian Steel Corporation), scaled automotive steel portfolios, and engaged in decarbonization initiatives (green hydrogen, CCUS, and nuclear-linked pathways). My exposure spans 80+ countries—including stints with Tata Steel, SAIL, and the Safal Group (Africa)—making me one of the few professionals with operational breadth across upstream, downstream, and sustainability-linked transitions. I am currently being onboarded as a Senior Independent Consultant to McKinsey &…