In a landmark development poised to redefine India's role in the global artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, Google has announced a monumental investment of $15 billion to establish its first AI and data infrastructure hub in India, located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The announcement was made following a briefing by Google CEO Sundar Pichai to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This will be Google’s largest AI hub outside the United States and its biggest investment in India to date. The move is expected to fuel India’s digital transformation and establish the country as a leading global player in the AI revolution.
A Strategic Choice: Why Visakhapatnam?
The selection of Visakhapatnam—a coastal city in Andhra Pradesh—reflects Google’s long-term vision for building AI infrastructure beyond traditional tech hubs. According to Pichai, the new facility will combine:
- Gigawatt-scale computing capacity
- A new international subsea internet gateway
- Large-scale energy infrastructure, with a focus on sustainability
“This AI hub will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country,” said Pichai on X (formerly Twitter) after the agreement was signed between Google and the Andhra Pradesh government.
India’s First Gigawatt-Scale Data Centre Campus
The data center campus is being built in partnership with the Adani Group, further reinforcing the collaboration between Indian conglomerates and global tech giants.
Described by Google as a “generational shift in AI capability,” the project is aligned with the Indian government’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, which aims to transform India into a developed nation by its 100th year of independence.
In its official statement, Google highlighted the initiative's potential to create substantial economic and societal value for both India and the United States.
Formal Launch with National and State Leaders
A formal agreement was signed in New Delhi at an event attended by key dignitaries including:
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
- Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu
- State IT Minister Nara Lokesh
Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, emphasized the long-term strategic importance of the investment. “This represents a landmark investment in India's digital future. By delivering industry-leading AI infrastructure at scale, we are enabling businesses to innovate faster and creating meaningful opportunities for inclusive growth,” he said.
India’s Digital Future Gets a Major Boost
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed gratitude to Google, stating, “This digital infrastructure will go a long way in meeting the goals of our India AI vision. AI services are emerging as a totally new category in our digital economy.”
Chief Minister Naidu also welcomed the development, calling it a “new chapter in India’s digital transformation journey.” He added, “We are proud to host India’s first truly gigawatt-scale data centre and Google’s first AI hub in India, which is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation, AI adoption, and long-term support for businesses and startups in the state.”
Rising Competition in India’s AI Race
The move by Google comes amid intensifying competition among global tech giants to expand their data infrastructure in India. Microsoft and Amazon have already invested billions in Indian data centers, betting on the country’s fast-growing internet economy. India is expected to have over 900 million internet users by the end of this year, making it a prime destination for cloud and AI services.
The Visakhapatnam project is not just about data and compute—it is also a symbol of India’s growing centrality in the future of global AI.
With this investment, Google is not just building an AI hub—it is laying the foundation for a future where India becomes a global nerve center for responsible, scalable, and inclusive AI innovation. The hub will serve as a catalyst for technological growth, digital skill development, and new opportunities for millions across the country.
As Sundar Pichai described it, this is indeed a “landmark development”—and one that may well define the next chapter of India's digital story.