Indra Nooyi has sparked debate in India after saying she “couldn’t have become CEO” there, arguing that she could have risen to the top only in the United States due to a meritocratic system. NDTV and India Today report that Nooyi’s comments link her pathway to leadership in the US to how merit is recognized and rewarded. Times of India adds that the statement has drawn a critical response from Indian professionals who argue that the remark overlooks the presence of accomplished women leaders in India and can be seen as generalizing about opportunity. Critics also say the comment does not reflect the evolution of India’s professional environment, where leadership roles for women and performance-based advancement are increasingly visible in multiple sectors. Supporters, as reflected in the framing of Nooyi’s position, point to the US model of merit-based selection as a key factor in her career trajectory. The discussion centers on whether Nooyi’s views appropriately describe the current state of professional mobility in India or inadvertently dismiss broader examples of successful leadership there. Nooyi’s claim and the ensuing reactions are widely discussed across Indian media outlets.