Rata Tata close aide issues Big Statement over ongoing rift, says ‘It pains me to see…’, Noshir Soonawala likely to…

Soonawala was known to be close not only to Ratan Tata but also to his younger half-brother and current chairman of Tata Trusts, Noel Tata, as well as Noel’s mother, Simone Tata.

Written by: Victor Dasgupta Edited by: Victor Dasgupta

Published: October 27, 2025, 12:55 PM IST

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https://www.india.com/business/rata-tata-noshir-soonawala-tata-group-noel-tata-vijay-singh-mukesh-ambani-gautam-adani-reliance-kumar-mangalam-birla-8151342/ Copy

New Delhi: In a major development, Noshir Soonawala, the man who is considered to be one of the close confidants of the late Ratan Tata, has broken his silence on the ongoing rift with the Tata Group. It is important to note that in the recent times, several reports have emerged about the differences with the Tata Trusts. The matter has escalated to such an extent that even the government has had to step in. Recently, some senior Tata Group officials met with two Union ministers in Delhi.

Soonawala, who has served as Vice Chairman of Tata Sons and as a trustee of Tata Trusts, told The Times of India, “It pains me to see what’s happening within Tata, as I have devoted almost my entire career to this group. I hope the trustees of Tata Trusts will resolve their differences.”

Soonawala was known to be close not only to Ratan Tata but also to his younger half-brother and current chairman of Tata Trusts, Noel Tata, as well as Noel’s mother, Simone Tata.

What is the dispute about?

Noel Tata was appointed as a nominee director on the Tata Sons board on behalf of the charities in a meeting held on October 17. During the meeting, it was also decided that the performance of nominee directors above the age of 75 would be reviewed annually. This decision led to disagreements among the trustees during the meeting on September 11, 2025, when a majority voted against the reappointment of Vijay Singh, the Tata Trusts’ nominee director on the Tata Sons board. Following this, 77-year-old Singh resigned from Tata Sons.

Soonawala had joined the Tata Group in 1968 and played a key role in several major fund-raising initiatives for Tata Sons. Among them was the 1995 rights issue worth ₹300 crore, which allowed listed Tata Group companies to acquire stakes in Tata Sons. A subsequent debenture issue further strengthened the group’s financial position and holdings. He retired from Tata Sons in 2010 and resigned from Tata Trusts in 2019.