Abbott India has announced a senior leadership change within its human resources function, appointing Vinutha Mufti as Director of Business Human Resources from 16 December 2025. She will succeed Rajan Kalantre, who will transition to another Abbott affiliate. The Indian unit disclosed the move as part of its planned succession process.
Mufti, who joined Abbott in 2015, brings more than two decades of HR experience to the role. She has held a series of senior business HR positions across the company’s Pharmaceuticals and Nutrition divisions, including heading HR for Primary Care in 2020 and serving as Associate Director for Nutrition in 2022. Most recently, she led HR for Abbott’s Specialty Care business. Before joining the company, she spent ten years at IBM in HR business partnering and talent management.
Abbott India said Kalantre would remain in his current role until 15 December to ensure a smooth handover. His departure marks the latest leadership movement at the pharmaceutical firm, which has emphasised continuity and internal development in its senior HR appointments.
Industry observers noted that Mufti’s appointment signals a continued focus on managerial effectiveness, diversity and inclusion, and modernising talent-management practices. Her experience across multiple business lines is expected to support Abbott India’s workforce strategy as the company navigates shifting industry demands and increasing competition for skilled talent.
The company said the promotion reflects its commitment to building leadership pipelines internally and strengthening HR capabilities at a time when the pharmaceutical sector faces rising regulatory scrutiny, evolving workforce expectations and growing pressure to accelerate capability-building.
With Mufti assuming responsibility for Abbott India’s business HR operations, the company is positioned to refine its people strategy while maintaining continuity across its leadership team. Analysts expect HR leadership to play a central role in shaping workforce resilience and supporting growth as the industry undergoes continued transformation.