Linklaters India head Sandeep Katwala has been appointed as Emerging Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) regional managing partner while continuing in his role as India head.

Katwala (pictured) will take up the role from 1 May 2010, succeeding Stuart Salt who was appointed Asia managing partner at the start of this year.

The firm wrote in a press release that Katwala would continue to head up the India practice and work with India-related clients.

Katwala became a Linklaters partner in 2000 and inherited the India practice from previous India head Nikhil Mehta who had left to join Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in 2002.

Katwala specialises in corporate and M&A, as well as some infrastructure work.

Linklaters managing partner Simon Davies said in a statement: "The CEE, Middle East, Russia/CIS and Africa are important and dynamic markets. Furthermore, we are seeing increasing cross-border activity between the EEMEA region and Asia (including India).

"Sandeep’s broad experience in Asia, including his success in building our India practice, make him ideally suited to this key leadership role."

Linklaters has a best friends relationship with Indian firm Talwar Thakore & Associates (TTA).

In November 2009, two Linklaters partners joined TTA as equity partners.