Nokia's performance not related to my decision: Shivakumar

Nokia's operations head for India, West Asia and Africa D Shivakumar quit the Finnish handset major after an eight-year stint with the company.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, he said the decision to quit was not related to Nokia's performance. Shivakumar was based in Dubai for more than 1.5 years and is now keen on returning to India because he feels India is still a growth market and offers lot of opportunities.

Also read: Income tax officials fine Nokia, court issues stay

Shivakumar will continue to serve Nokia till June 30, 2013.

Below is the edited transcript of D Shivakumar's interview with CNBC-TV18

Q: Why exactly are you leaving Nokia?

A: Nokia has been very dear to my heart. I have been in Dubai for the last 18 months. I have done what has been needed of me here. I really looked at the future and I felt that the future was in the market like India, which is in my mind still a growth market.

It is full of opportunities for professionals and that's the reason I thought I should come back to India and that's the main reason. I want to come back because India is the place where there is future opportunity.

Q: Nokia is going through particularly difficult time. It is struggling in the smartphone segment; the market share has been under pressure. Moreover, the I-T department has slapped a Rs 2,000 crore demand notice on the company. The timing of your departure raises questions. How will Nokia cope?

A: The tax issue is a separate case. We have completely cooperated with the government and had given them all the help which is necessary because we always believe in being good citizens in every country we operate.

The challenges of the market will continue like we have seen challenges in smartphones and dual-SIM. We have seen challenges in touch phones in the past, but every time Nokia has come back and done a good job.

Business challenges will always continue. As far as the tax issue is concerned, we are working very closely with the government and it has absolutely no correlation with my decision.

Q: What are your plans posts Nokia? Have you made up your mind and you intend doing?

A: I have to do a proper handover for the next three months in Nokia. I have to ensure that my successor settles down well and after that I will decide, till then I have not really thought about it.