PepsiCo’s Chairman and CEO, Ramon Laguarta, is visiting India for a three-day tour to assess the company’s rapidly-growing “anchor” market. This marks his second visit to the country in just six months. During the visit, Laguarta met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 16, 2025, marking his first meeting with the Prime Minister in his six years leading the company.
India is a key market for PepsiCo, identified alongside China and the Middle East as one of the company’s core high-growth regions. PepsiCo has classified 13 such “anchor” markets globally, which are expected to drive growth over the next five to seven years. During the meeting with PM Modi, both leaders discussed ways to strengthen PepsiCo’s long-term commitment to India, focusing on areas like manufacturing, sustainability, innovation, and community development.
The visit comes amid the backdrop of a significant hike in GST rates for aerated beverages, raising taxes from 28% to 40% effective September 22, 2025, and a decrease in beverage sales due to a milder-than-usual summer. PepsiCo’s board is also scheduled to hold a strategy meeting and visit the company’s global capability center in Hyderabad.
