Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Tuesday announced the company’s largest-ever investment in India—a $15 billion commitment over five years—centered around a major artificial intelligence hub in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam. The facility represents Google’s biggest AI hub outside the United States.
The tech giant has partnered with the Adani Group to develop a massive data center and AI infrastructure. Pichai described it as a “landmark development” featuring gigawatt-scale computing capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and extensive energy infrastructure.
“Through it we will bring our industry-leading technology to enterprises and users in India, accelerating AI innovation and driving growth across the country,” Pichai posted on X following the signing ceremony with Andhra Pradesh government officials.
Political Endorsement by PM Modi about Google
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed enthusiasm about the project, calling Visakhapatnam a “dynamic” city. “This multi-faceted investment that includes gigawatt-scale data center infrastructure, aligns with our vision to build a Viksit Bharat. It will be a powerful force in democratizing technology. It will also ensure AI for All, delivering cutting-edge tools to our citizens, boosting our digital economy and securing India’s place as a global technology leader,” Modi responded on social media.
Strategic Timing
The announcement arrives amid US-India tensions over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and stalled trade negotiations. Google emphasized the initiative aligns with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and “creates substantial economic and societal opportunities for both India and the United States – while pioneering a generational shift in AI capability.”
High-Level Support
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, speaking at the Delhi signing event, called the Visakhapatnam hub 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. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to the Indian and US governments to harness AI responsibly and drive transformative impact for society,” Kurian stated.
Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Ashwini Vaishnaw attended alongside Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and state IT Minister Nara Lokesh.
Vaishnaw thanked Google, noting: “This digital infrastructure will go a long way in meeting goals of our India AI vision. AI services are emerging as a totally new category in our digital economy, and we look forward to this new facility being used for developing our youth for AI services.”
Naidu described the investment as marking a “new chapter” in India’s digital transformation. “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.”
Competitive Landscape
The move intensifies competition among tech giants investing heavily in Indian data center infrastructure to meet surging AI demand. Microsoft and Amazon have already committed billions to similar facilities. India is projected to reach over 900 million internet users by year’s end, making it a critical market for cloud and AI services.
