PhonePe has appointed Shivnath Thukral as its new Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, effective immediately. A former Meta executive, Thukral will spearhead the company’s regulatory engagement and advocacy efforts in India’s rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

At Meta, Thukral led policy strategy and stakeholder relations, focusing on technology regulation and financial inclusion. He previously held leadership roles in industry associations such as the Broadband India Forum and US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, bringing deep expertise and strong government connections to PhonePe.

Thukral will report directly to PhonePe co-founders Sameer Nigam and Rahul Chari and join the senior leadership team. In welcoming his appointment, Nigam remarked that Thukral’s “rich experience and deep understanding of public policy, regulatory frameworks, and strategic advocacy” will bolster PhonePe’s efforts to shape the future of digital payments in India.

His arrival comes as PhonePe expands its offerings—ranging from payments and insurance to micro-lending—and navigates complex regulatory environments. With his proven track record at Meta and in policy forums, Thukral is expected to strengthen PhonePe’s engagement with government stakeholders and guide its strategic initiatives in the sector.