Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has called India an “absolute must-win” market for the ride-hailing giant, telling Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath that the country’s rapid growth and 1.4 million-strong driver network make it critical to Uber’s long-term strategy. Speaking on the latest episode of People by WTF, Khosrowshahi outlined Uber’s India-first approach, competition with Rapido, the coming wave of electrification, and the transformative role of AI in mobility and travel.

“India is our third-largest market in mobility… the growth there is spectacular. It’s not just about tomorrow but the next 10 years,” Khosrowshahi said. He credited homegrown rival Rapido’s innovative subscription model but warned that profitability would be the real test of its durability. “We intend to compete really hard with them,” he added.

The Uber chief also reflected on key decisions, including selling Uber Eats to Zomato in 2020 to sharpen the company’s focus on mobility. “We didn’t think we could win in India [on delivery], and I like to stick to my core competence – building big operating businesses,” he said.

On technology trends, Khosrowshahi predicted that agentic AI will redefine travel discovery and booking. Drawing on his 13 years leading Expedia, he said the industry has stagnated, and the next disruption will come from AI agents that “truly represent your interests” rather than serve corporate agendas. “You want an agent that’s a combination of explore and exploit… not just showing you what you’ve liked in the past, but surprising you with new choices as well,” he said.

Khosrowshahi also outlined Uber’s long-term bet on electric and autonomous vehicles, calling them essential for profitability and societal benefit. “Autonomous and electric vehicles will transform mobility… our job is to adapt fast, responsibly,” he said, while acknowledging that the shift will take time for drivers, infrastructure, and regulators to adjust.

The conversation also traces Khosrowshahi’s journey from post-revolution Iran to Silicon Valley, his views on spirituality, lessons in leadership from Barry Diller, and candid advice to young founders: “Don’t build another Uber, build something we can buy later.” He urged entrepreneurs to start small, focus on product–market fit, and avoid chasing massive markets from day one.