UditVani, Jamshedpur: Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran on Tuesday expressed concern over the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, cautioning that a prolonged war in the region could pose significant challenges to global trade and supply chains.
However, he clarified that there has been no direct impact on India or the Tata Group so far.
Chandrasekaran was in Jamshedpur to attend the 187th birth anniversary celebrations of Tata Group founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata.
Paying homage at the main function held at the Tata Steel Works premises, he extended Founder’s Day greetings to the citizens and reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to growth and nation-building.
Speaking to the media, Chandrasekaran noted that the Tata Group imports limestone and other key raw materials from the Middle East.
Given the Group’s widespread global footprint, any extended geopolitical instability in the region could disrupt supply chains, logistics networks, delivery schedules and sustainability goals.
“If the conflict continues for a long time, it may affect global trade flows and operational systems,” he said, while reiterating that there is currently no immediate fallout for India or Tata businesses.
Emphasising employee welfare, he stated that Tata Group personnel are engaged across manufacturing, services, hospitality and other sectors worldwide.
“The safety and well-being of our employees and their families remain our top priority,” he said, adding that the Group is closely monitoring developments and taking necessary precautions.
On employment, Chandrasekaran highlighted the steady expansion of the workforce driven by new projects and capacity enhancements.
Over the past five to six years, the Group’s employee strength has grown from around seven lakh to nearly 11 lakh.
The target is to increase this to 15 lakh over the next five to six years. He also underlined plans to raise women’s participation in the workforce to 28–30 per cent.
Addressing concerns around emerging technologies, he said that while apprehensions about job losses due to new technologies are natural, artificial intelligence is expected to create fresh opportunities across steel, automotive, finance and other sectors.
He added that this technological transformation would also benefit Tata Consultancy Services by opening new avenues of innovation and growth.
Among those present on the occasion was T. V. Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel, along with other senior officials.
