Narayan Iyer, who left Linklaters Singapore in 2009 to join the magic circle firm’s best friend Talwar Thakore & Associates, then returned to Linklaters London in 2013, has been appointed as head of the India practice.

He takes up the baton from long-time India head Sandeep Katwala, who founded the firm’s India practice 10 years ago, and will continue to be involved in the India practice and to focus on client work.

Iyer became a Linklaters partner in 2007, and commented in a press statement: “Linklaters has built up a really strong track record in the region in recent years, working on some of the most high profile transactions and so I’m excited to lead the team forward, building on the pivotal role that Sandeep has played since the group’s inception.

“India is riding on a wave of optimism following Mr Modi’s election last year. If the new government’s programme of reform continues over the coming years, we will see India become an even more attractive market.”

Linklaters global managing partner Simon Davies added that Iyer was one of the group’s founding members and was “uniquely placed” to head the practice with his “offshore and on-the ground experience at a time of renewed interest in India amongst our clients”.

Recent deals by the firm, according to the press release, include its role for banks on Tata Corus’ $6.85bn refinancing, Suzlon Energy’s $500m wind turbine bond restructuring, its advice to Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) on its $74m sale of assets to Ratnakar Bank, and entrepreneur’s BR Shetty’s purchase of the Travelex Group.