Google CEO Sundar Pichai to visit India later this month

Google CEO Sundar Pichai will be visiting India later this month, his first trip to the country after taking over as the head of one of the world's largest technology companies. While the India-born CEO will be expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the real reason behind his visit is said to be the launch of the second version of Google's Android One phones.

Pichai visited India last year for the global launch of Google's ambitious project to make pure Android available on affordable phones. Android One did not quite live up to expectations.

Google had already sent out invites for an event on 16 December.

''At Google, we believe that technology can change people's lives for the better. Indians are coming online at an astonishing rate with affordable smartphones. These new users have a completely fresh view on what the internet has to offer. Please block your date for an event with Google as we outline our vision for these users,'' the invite reads.

During the two-day visit, Pichai is expected to outline his vision for India and would be joined by senior global executives from Google.

Microsoft chief, Hyderabad-born Nadella is also expected to visit India in December. Nadella has been a more frequent visitor to India, having come to India just a month ago to attend Microsoft's flagship Future Unleashed event and meet key customers, partners and developers. However, a Microsoft India spokesperson said there was no official communication regarding his December visit and he may be coming on a personal trip, The Economic Times reported. Nadella was in India last year and also during Christmas and New Year holidays.

During his official visit to India in September last year, Nadella had announced plans for local data centres in the country. Pichai, 43, would deliver the keynote address at the Google for India event on 16 December in New Delhi, according to people aware of his plans. He would be expected to share Google's plans for India, one of the largest growth markets for the company globally.