Google has announced a $15 billion investment in India over the next five years to establish its largest artificial intelligence and data infrastructure hub outside the United States. The announcement was made by Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian during a ceremony in New Delhi, where he described the initiative as a milestone for India’s growing digital economy. The new hub, to be built in the port city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, is expected to play a major role in expanding AI adoption, supporting businesses, and driving innovation across multiple sectors.
Kurian stated that the investment would fund a “gigawatt-scale AI hub” capable of supporting large-scale computing power for AI training, data processing, and cloud operations. He compared the project to a “digital backbone” that would connect India’s diverse regions through advanced cloud and data services. The facility will be developed in partnership with the Adani Group, marking one of the largest private sector collaborations in India’s AI infrastructure development. The hub will include data centers, energy networks, and a subsea internet gateway to strengthen connectivity and efficiency. Kurian noted that demand for AI-driven tools in India has surged, with the number of internet users expected to surpass 900 million by the end of the year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Google’s investment, calling it a major step toward boosting India’s digital transformation and enhancing its role as a global technology leader. Google CEO Sundar Pichai echoed this sentiment, sharing on X that the hub would combine advanced compute capacity with renewable energy systems and global connectivity. Pichai highlighted that the project will deliver Google’s most advanced AI technology to Indian enterprises and users, helping accelerate innovation and economic growth across the country.
Indian officials and technology leaders have also expressed optimism about the project’s potential. Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the initiative aligns with India’s AI vision and will significantly strengthen the nation’s digital infrastructure. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu described it as a “very happy day” for the state, crediting his administration’s focus on technology-driven growth. Technology Minister Nara Lokesh, who played a key role in the discussions, referred to data as “the new oil” and data centers as “the new refineries,” emphasizing how strategic infrastructure investments can transform India’s technological landscape.
The partnership has also drawn support from industry figures such as Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, who said he was proud to collaborate with Google in building the foundation for India’s AI-driven future. Over the past year, major US AI companies have been expanding their presence in India. Anthropic announced plans to open an office in the country next year following a meeting between its CEO Dario Amodei and Prime Minister Modi. OpenAI has also confirmed its intention to launch an India office by the end of the year, while AI firm Perplexity entered a partnership with telecom operator Airtel to offer a free one-year Perplexity Pro subscription to its 360 million users.
Through this large-scale investment, Google aims to strengthen India’s position as a major hub for AI research, cloud computing, and digital innovation. The project reflects the growing strategic importance of India in the global technology ecosystem, as it becomes a central destination for data infrastructure and AI development.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
