OREANDA-NEWS. December 13, 2012. Boeing (NYSE: BA) today named Pratyush “Prat” Kumar as president of Boeing India, effective Dec. 14. He joins Boeing with significant business leadership experience and insight into the Indian market, having served in senior executive positions at GE Transportation since 2003. Kumar succeeds Dinesh Keskar, who earlier this year returned to Boeing Commercial Airplanes in a senior Sales leadership role.

 As the company’s senior in-country leader, Kumar is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Boeing India strategy. He will coordinate business activities; align priorities; expand the Boeing presence; and develop, maintain and enhance local relationships and in-country partnerships with India’s business and government stakeholders.

“Prat has a distinguished business career and brings considerable experience and success in the Indian market to Boeing,” said Shep Hill, president of Boeing International and senior vice president of Business Development and Strategy. “Prat will focus on growing our business and will build on Dinesh Keskar’s outstanding accomplishments as president of Boeing India.”

 Kumar was Delhi-based president and CEO, GE Transportation for South Asia. Previously, he led GE Infrastructure businesses in India, which included Aviation, Transportation, Energy, Oil & Gas, and Water business lines. Before joining GE in 2003, Kumar founded a biotech start-up in Boston. He began his career as a McKinsey & Company management consultant in its Atlanta and Delhi offices.

He is co-chair of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s Infrastructure Committee. He is also chair of American Chamber of Commerce India’s Infrastructure and Energy committee and a member of The Energy & Resources Institute advisory board.

Kumar earned a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge) doctorate in materials manufacturing in 1994 and holds an Indian Institute of Technology (New Delhi) Bachelor of Technology degree in mechanical engineering.

The close relationship between Boeing and India dates back 70 years to when Tata Airlines first flew DC-3 passenger aircraft. India entered the jet age on the wings of Boeing commercial jetliners, and Boeing jets continue to be the mainstay of the country’s domestic and intercontinental commercial fleets.

 New opportunities for partnership have developed in the areas of defense, industry and technology. The government of India has selected the P-8I to fulfill its long-range maritime reconnaissance and antisubmarine requirements. It is also acquiring 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft. In March 2009, Boeing opened the Boeing Research & Technology center in Bangalore to advance aerospace innovation.

 In addition, Boeing is focused on creating sustainable value in the Indian aerospace sector. The company has developed important relationships with suppliers in India and is actively pursuing technical and business partnerships with Indian companies and institutions. Boeing is uniquely positioned for growth in the burgeoning aircraft services and support market.

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. The company employs more than 170,000 people across the United States and in 70 countries.