PepsiCo undeterred by Singur crisis, bullish on India: Indra Nooyi

GURGAON: Amid concerns of the possible impact on global investments in India due to the Singur stalemate, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi on Sunday said the company was bullish about the country and saw no problems in functioning in West Bengal.

"We have a plant in Kolkata and it is functioning well," Nooyi said when asked if the problems faced by the Tatas in Singur, from where the Indian auto-major planned to roll out it small-car Nano could affect global investments in India and West Bengal in particular.

"We are bullish on India and we like our business in Kolkata," she added.

Asked to for her views on the Singur controversy, she declined to comment saying "I do not have an opinion on the matter (Singur controversy). It is for the company and state government to sort out".

Her views are contrary to some of the opinions expressed by Indian corporate leaders, including Mukesh Ambani, who apprehended that the Singur controversy could dampen global investments in India.

In fact, Nooyi announced plans by PepsiCo to invest $500 million over the next three years to triple its business in India.

Tata Motors has suspended work at its Nano car plant at Singur, where it planned to invest Rs 1,500 crore to manufacture the world's cheapest car, following opposition led by Trinamool Congress.

The company has since approached Karnataka government and is exploring the possibility of setting up a plant in the state to produce Nano.