The company plans to build a data center campus with 1 GW of output in the country. This could help expand Google Cloud's client base.
Highlights
This data center will be built in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
This will be the company's largest investment outside the US.
This could help expand Google Cloud's client base.
American technology company Google has announced a $15 billion investment (approximately Rs 1.3 lakh crore) to build a data center focused on artificial intelligence (AI) in India. This will involve a strategic partnership with Bharti Airtel, a major telecom company. This data center will be built in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. This investment will be made over the next five years.
The announcement was made at an event in New Delhi in the presence of Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Google CEO Thomas Kurian said that this would be the company's largest investment outside the US. The company plans to build a data center campus with 1 GW output in the country. This could help expand Google Cloud's client base.
Ashwini stated that the use of AI is increasing among Indian entrepreneurs. Sitharaman stated that the country's education sector could benefit from the technology. Naidu highlighted the growth potential in Andhra Pradesh, stating that the state is emerging as the country's next IT hub. Bharti Airtel stated that the company has entered into a strategic partnership with Google to build an AI-focused data center in Visakhapatnam . This project will be completed by 2030. It will utilize subsea networks and clean energy. AdaniConneX will also participate in this project.
Gopal Vittal, Managing Director, Bharti Airtel, said, "By combining world-class AI infrastructure with the country's exceptional talent and enhancing global connectivity, we are laying the foundation for India to become a leader in the AI era. By establishing Visakhapatnam as the new AI hub, we are ensuring that India has the opportunity to set the pace for innovation, economic growth, and digital inclusion. This will benefit not just our people, but the world." Along with the data center, Bharti Airtel and Google will also jointly build a state-of-the-art cable landing station. This will host Google's new international subsea cables.
