Nokia on Monday said that Sandeep Girotra would become the Head of India as part of the planned combination of Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent, and subject to the successful closing of the public exchange offer for Alcatel-Lucent securities announced on April 15 this year (valued at 15.6 billion Euros in an all-stock deal).

He would oversee the combined company's customer operations across India, driving the execution of strategy and ensuring better customer service, with focus on innovation and quality, the company said in a statement.

Sandeep Girotra had joined Nokia Networks in 1996 and has held a number of different roles in India, heading the region since 2011. In 2010, he had served as Head of Sales for Business Solution Networks having been Customer Team Head at Idea Cellular within Nokia Siemens Networks from 2007 to 2009.

The company said Girotra would report to Ashish Chowdhary, Chief Customer Operations Officer.

“He brings valuable regional experience and expertise, and would be a great asset to the management team. I look forward to working with him as we continue to innovate on behalf of our customers, delivering leading products and services and positioning Nokia as the foundation of seamless connectivity for people and things, wherever they are,” Chowdhary, said.

The proposed appointment is effective only after the successful closing of the public exchange offer and is subject to the completion of the relevant works council consultation procedures, the company said.