According to a new index released by TLG Communications, indigenous brands in India are leading the country as “Thought Leaders” and are outperforming many “western” mega brands, such as Apple.

The index, which was launched by TLG in partnership with international research consultancy firm GlobeScan, found that IT giant Infosys and software conglomerate Tata claimed the top 2 positions because they were widely perceived as corporate brands with the power to change the attitudes and behavior of consumers, employees and politicians.

According to the index, having this power defined companies as "Thought Leaders".

The “Thought Leaders” index was created by asking government ministers, directors of blue chip companies, and newspaper editors to identify the brands which they believed had these powers.

Interestingly, TLG and GlobeScan found that seven out of the top ten brands identified in India were indigenous firms or joint ventures between local and overseas companies.

The top 10 indigenous firms and joint ventures included Maruti-Suzuki (4th), Larsen & Toubro (5th), State Bank of India (7th), and Hindustan Unilever (9th).

In contrast, the only global majors to crack the top ten in India were Google, Nokia, and Facebook.

According to the report, "Western firms that succeed (Google, Nokia and Facebook) are those that adapt their models to local conditions, or ones that form JVs with locals in the driving seat (Suzuki, Unilever)”.