The 55-year-old Forster will have the overall responsibility of Tata Motors' operations globally, including the British marquees Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR), the company said in a statement.
"Tata Motors expects Forster's induction will greatly facilitate its ambition towards being a truly international company," Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata said.
Forster was earlier head of the failed General Motors's European operations and had also served with the German luxury car-maker BMW.
Photograph: Reuters