Jamshedpur, March 3 (.) Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Tuesday said the ongoing Iran conflict has had no direct impact on the Tata Group or India so far, though prolonged instability in West Asia could create challenges.
He was speaking after attending the 187th birth anniversary programme of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata in Jamshedpur.
Chandrasekaran said the group imports limestone from the Middle East and operates across several geographies. Any extended disruption, he noted, could affect supply chains, logistics, delivery schedules and long term sustainability.
His remarks reflect a broader corporate mood of caution, as Indian conglomerates assess exposure to geopolitical volatility without indicating immediate concern.
The commemorative ceremony at Tata Steel premises was attended by Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and Tata Steel Managing Director and CEO T V Narendran, among other senior officials.
Floral tributes were paid to Jamsetji’s statue within the plant and later at Postal Park in Bistupur.
Referring to employment, Chandrasekaran said the group’s workforce has grown from about five to six lakh over the past five to six years to nearly eleven lakh at present. The target is to reach fifteen lakh employees by 2030.
He added that efforts are under way to raise women’s participation in the workforce to 28 to 30 per cent.
The expansion plans come at a time when automation and Artificial Intelligence have sparked debate over job security across sectors.
Addressing such concerns, he said apprehensions about job losses are natural with the arrival of new technologies. However, Artificial Intelligence is expected to create new opportunities in steel, automobiles and finance.
He said the transition would also benefit Tata Consultancy Services as enterprises integrate AI driven solutions into their core operations.
Chandrasekaran emphasised that the safety of employees across manufacturing, services and hospitality operations worldwide remains the group’s top priority, especially during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.
The anniversary carried significance for Jamshedpur, earlier known as Kalimati and renamed in 1919 in honour of Jamsetji. The city continues to stand as a model industrial township where corporate growth and urban development evolved together.
. SSI