'India's relationship with WhatsApp is unlike anywhere else in the world': Meta India chief Arun Srinivas welcomes Kunal Shah as WhatsApp's next global leader

Meta India Managing Director Arun Srinivas has publicly welcomed Kunal Shah as the next leader of WhatsApp, describing the appointment as a pivotal moment for a platform that has become deeply embedded in India's social and commercial fabric.In a LinkedIn post on Monday, Srinivas congratulated the CRED founder on his appointment and highlighted India's unique role in WhatsApp's evolution from a messaging app into a platform powering businesses, commerce and essential citizen services."India's relationship with WhatsApp is unlike anywhere else in the world — it's where businesses are born, where families stay close, and where communities thrive," Srinivas wrote.Also read: Meta invests $900 million in CRED, names Kunal Shah as next WhatsApp chiefRead more: Meta says AI era drove choice of Kunal Shah as next WhatsApp chief; links CRED investment to leadership transitionThe remarks come amid growing attention around Meta's decision to elevate Shah to one of the most influential leadership positions within its global ecosystem, a move that has sparked widespread discussion across the technology and startup sectors.Srinivas said WhatsApp has become the "backbone of commerce and connection" in India, serving everyone from neighbourhood kirana stores and small businesses to large enterprises and public-service providers."As someone who has spent years working closely with India's businesses and advertisers, I've seen how WhatsApp has become the backbone of commerce and connection in this country — from the neighbourhood kirana store to the largest enterprises, and everyday services for citizens, be it Metro tickets or utility payments," he said.The comments underscore the strategic importance of India to Meta's future ambitions for WhatsApp. With hundreds of millions of users in the country, India has emerged as the platform's largest market and a testing ground for business messaging, payments, customer engagement and conversational commerce.Srinivas also pointed to Shah's track record at CRED, saying the entrepreneur's focus on trust and user experience made him a natural fit for the role."Kunal understands this deeply. He built CRED by obsessing over user trust and experience — the very qualities that make WhatsApp indispensable to billions," Srinivas said.The endorsement offers fresh insight into Meta's thinking as it prepares WhatsApp for its next phase of growth. Industry observers have increasingly viewed the appointment as a signal that Meta intends to accelerate the convergence of messaging, commerce, payments and AI-powered services on the platform.Srinivas also paid tribute to outgoing WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart, crediting him with helping transform the platform into an engine for both communication and economic activity."Thank you for your leadership that shaped WhatsApp into a platform that doesn't just connect people but powers livelihoods and businesses at extraordinary scale," he wrote.The leadership transition comes at a time when WhatsApp is evolving beyond its roots as a messaging service. Across markets, and particularly in India, the platform is increasingly being used for customer support, transactions, ticketing, business communication and digital commerce.By framing WhatsApp as critical infrastructure for businesses and citizens alike, Srinivas' comments reinforce the view that India's digital economy will play a central role in shaping the platform's next chapter under Shah's leadership."Welcome Kunal Shah. Can't wait to see how WhatsApp continues to grow under your leadership," Srinivas added.