Hinduja Group and Philippine Government Strengthen Ties During President Marcos Jr.’s India Visit

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines met with a delegation from the Hinduja Group during his ongoing bilateral visit to India, marking a step forward in deepening economic and strategic cooperation between the Indian multinational conglomerate and the Philippines.

The meeting, led by Shom Hinduja, President of Alternative Energy & Sustainability at the Hinduja Group and a board member of Gulf Oil Lubricants and Ashok Leyland, focused on expanding collaboration across key sectors including Defence, Energy, Automotive, and Digital Technology.

Following the discussions, Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), the group’s business process management arm, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Philippine government to expand its operations in the country. The agreement signals the company’s intent to make significant investments in its local footprint, reinforcing the Philippines as a strategic market for its global operations.

As part of the expansion, HGS plans to grow its customer experience (CX) and business process management services in the Philippines, leveraging the country’s skilled workforce and established digital infrastructure. The company, which currently operates delivery centers in Metro Manila, Iloilo, and Cebu, employs over 3,500 people and intends to substantially increase its workforce in the coming years.

The Hinduja Group has maintained a long-standing presence in the Philippines. Since 1998, its subsidiary Gulf Oil International has operated Gulf Oil Philippines Inc. (GOPi) through a joint venture with the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC). The facility manufactures and distributes a range of Gulf-branded lubricants, which are tested and approved by major international engine manufacturers.

In the automotive sector, Ashok Leyland, a flagship company of the Hinduja Group, is set to locally assemble and deliver the first batch of 50 Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) in the Philippines. This initiative aligns with growing demand for commercial vehicles in the country and supports local manufacturing capabilities.

The group also expressed interest in exploring opportunities in electric mobility through Switch Mobility, its electric vehicle arm, and in developing EV charging infrastructure in partnership with Gulf Oil.

President Marcos Jr.’s administration highlighted the improving investment climate in the Philippines, emphasizing policy reforms and sector-specific incentives aimed at attracting foreign capital. The government has identified defence modernization, energy transition, digital transformation, and transport infrastructure as priority areas for public-private collaboration.

The engagement with the Hinduja Group reflects broader efforts to strengthen Indo-Philippine economic ties, particularly in technology, energy, and industrial development. Both sides acknowledged the potential for deeper cooperation in the months ahead, with further discussions expected on specific investment projects.