Networking company Cisco has appointed former Dell executive Sameer Garde as president for its India and Saarc operations.

Sameer Garde, a Dell India veteran of nine years, succeeds Dinesh Malkani who is leaving the technology company to pursue other opportunities.

“This is the perfect time for Sameer Garde to become Cisco India and Saarc’s next President. With our mission to provide the government and customers the right foundation for their digital initiatives, Sameer will play an integral role in our continued growth and innovation,” said Irving Tan, president, Cisco Asia-Pacific and Japan.

Sameer Garde will be responsible for Cisco’s senior-level external engagement, including those with government and industry associations.

“We will continue our long-term strategic focus on India through our investments in innovation, skills training and digital transformation,” said Sameer Garde.

Cisco is building businesses from industry verticals such as manufacturing, education and healthcare to drive growth in India.

On verticals / business units that will help reach the $2 billion India revenue target, Sameer Garde said the company continues to see strong momentum across service providers, bank and financial institutions and the government.

Sameer Garde joined Dell as director Sales in July 2004 and became president and MD of Dell India in March 2012, a role he held for one year. He then joined Samsung India as its senior vice president & Country Head  – Enterprise Business in June 2013.

Sameer Garde quit Samsung a year later to join Philips Healthcare as its president for South Asia in July 2014, a role he held for one year and five months before quitting.

Prior to joining Cisco, Sameer Garde was consultant to CtrlS Datacenters, advisor to IQLECT, advisory Board Member at Shotang India and advisor to bonorganik, as per his LinkedIn profile.