"AT MAHINDRA, WE DEMOCRATISE MOBILITY FOR MILLIONS"

Diplomatist Magazine interviewed Mr. Bobby Salwan, Regional Head for Middle East, North & West Africa, and Latin America & the Caribbean at Mahindra & Mahindra. In this conversation, he reflects on Mahindra's parallel journey with India's industrial rise, the company's global footprint, localisation strategies in key regions, and the future of mobility in emerging markets

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Mr. Bobby Salwan Regional Head for Middle East, North & West Africa and Latin America & the Caribbean, Mahindra & Mahindra

From assembling Willys Jeeps in post-independence India to now operating in 100+ countries, how do you see Mahindra’s transformation reflecting the evolution of India’s own industrial journey?

Mahindra’s journey has, in many ways, run parallel to the story of independent India itself - both rooted in resilience, driven by ambition, and constantly evolving to meet the demands of a changing world.

When we began assembling Willys Jeeps in post-independence India, our purpose was clear: to empower a young nation with mobility and self-reliance. That spirit of nation-building has never left us. Over the decades, as India moved from import substitution to liberalisation and now to global leadership in technology and sustainability, Mahindra too has transformed - from a domestic assembler of rugged utility vehicles into a diversified global powerhouse present in over 100 countries.

Our evolution mirrors India’s broader industrial arc. The early years were about resilience and indigenisation - creating vehicles that could withstand the toughest terrains, much like India building its own foundations of self-sufficiency. The 1990s liberalisation era saw India opening to global competition, and Mahindra embraced that challenge, building global alliances, strengthening R&D, and introducing products that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world. Today, as India emerges as a hub for innovation, sustainability, and digital-first thinking, Mahindra is pushing boundaries in electric mobility, connected vehicles, and futuristic design - reflecting the aspirations of a new India that is confident, bold, and global in outlook.