India's ambitions to become a global technology and artificial intelligence powerhouse received a major boost after global data centre operator AirTrunk announced plans to invest more than ₹3 lakh crore (US$30 billion) in the country by 2030.
The proposed investment, one of the largest ever in India's digital infrastructure sector, aims to create 5 gigawatts (GW) of data centre capacity across several states and Union Territories.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement, highlighting its potential to strengthen India's position as a leading destination for cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital innovation.
The investment is backed by global investors Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), underscoring growing international confidence in India's digital economy.
As India accelerates initiatives such as Digital India, IndiaAI Mission, and the India Semiconductor Mission, large-scale investments in data centres are becoming increasingly important for supporting the country's expanding digital ecosystem and future technological growth.
Reacting to AirTrunk's announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the rapid progress being made in India's digital infrastructure landscape.
In a post on X, PM Modi said:
"India’s digital infrastructure journey is gathering remarkable momentum. AirTrunk has announced plans to invest around Rs. 3 lakh crore ($30 billion) in India, and develop 5 GW of data centre capacity. This is among the largest proposed investments in the country’s digital infrastructure ecosystem."
The Prime Minister noted that the proposed investment demonstrates increasing global confidence in India's technology ecosystem and long-term economic potential.
Highlighting the broader significance of the investment, PM Modi added:
"Such investments will strengthen India’s position as a global hub for cloud computing and AI, while generating employment opportunities, supporting local supply chains and accelerating innovation-led growth. It is clear that the future of the world’s digital economy is increasingly being shaped in India!"
The remarks reflect the government's vision of transforming India into a major centre for advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, cloud services, and digital innovation.
AirTrunk announced that India will become a cornerstone of its long-term global expansion strategy.
The company described India as one of its most important future investment destinations, citing the country's rapidly growing digital economy, expanding internet user base, increasing cloud adoption, and supportive policy environment.
The planned ₹3 lakh crore investment program is expected to rank among the largest digital infrastructure initiatives currently being considered in India.
AirTrunk formally entered the Indian market through the acquisition of Lumina CloudInfra in April 2026.
Through this acquisition, AirTrunk has already secured a development pipeline of 600 MW of data centre capacity across:
Mumbai
Chennai
Hyderabad
These cities are among India's fastest-growing technology and data infrastructure hubs, serving major enterprises, cloud providers, and digital businesses.
AirTrunk Founder and Chief Executive Officer Robin Khuda highlighted several factors that make India an ideal destination for long-term digital infrastructure investments.
According to Khuda, India has adopted a proactive and strategic approach toward artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
"India is taking a top-down approach to AI with clear government-led initiatives, a world-class talent pool and massive availability of renewable energy," Khuda said.
He noted that ongoing discussions with government leaders have strengthened AirTrunk's confidence in expanding its commitment to India.
India's growing renewable energy capacity and highly skilled technology workforce are also significant advantages for companies investing in large-scale digital infrastructure.
Data centres require substantial energy resources, and the availability of renewable energy supports sustainability goals while reducing long-term operational costs.
During his visit to India, Robin Khuda held meetings with senior government officials and ministers from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
The discussions focused on several critical areas necessary for scaling cloud and AI infrastructure, including:
Reliable power supply
Renewable energy integration
Sustainable water management
Talent development
Faster project approvals
Improved coordination between state and central governments
These factors are increasingly important as data centres become essential infrastructure supporting digital economies worldwide.
AirTrunk noted that several government-led initiatives have helped create a supportive environment for technology investments.
The IndiaAI Mission aims to strengthen India's AI ecosystem by improving access to computing resources, supporting innovation, and fostering AI-driven solutions across sectors.
The India Semiconductor Mission seeks to build a robust semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, reducing import dependence and enhancing technological self-reliance.
Together, these initiatives are attracting significant global interest from technology companies, investors, and infrastructure providers.
The proposed expansion is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits beyond digital infrastructure development.
AirTrunk estimates that the project will create thousands of jobs during both construction and operational phases.
These opportunities will span multiple sectors, including:
Engineering
Construction
Information Technology
Data Centre Operations
Renewable Energy
Facility Management
The investment is also expected to stimulate demand for local suppliers, contractors, technology providers, and infrastructure developers.
This could further encourage domestic manufacturing and attract additional foreign investment into related sectors.
As artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services become central to economic growth, data centres are increasingly viewed as critical infrastructure assets.
Much like roads, ports, airports, and power networks, modern digital infrastructure plays a crucial role in enabling economic activity and innovation.
Countries with strong digital ecosystems are expected to attract greater investment, foster innovation, and generate high-value employment opportunities in the emerging AI-driven economy.
India has rapidly emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for data centre investments in the Asia-Pacific region.
Factors driving this growth include:
Rapid digital transformation
Expanding internet penetration
Increasing cloud adoption
Growth of AI applications
Government support for technology infrastructure
Strong demand from global technology firms
AirTrunk's proposed investment further reinforces India's growing importance in the global digital economy and its ambitions to become a leading AI and cloud infrastructure hub.
AirTrunk's proposed ₹3 lakh crore investment marks a major milestone in India's digital infrastructure journey. By committing to develop 5 GW of data centre capacity, the company is positioning India as a central pillar of its global growth strategy while supporting the country's ambitions to become a global leader in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation.
The investment is expected to generate significant economic activity, create thousands of jobs, strengthen local supply chains, and attract additional global technology investments.
Combined with government initiatives such as Digital India, IndiaAI Mission, and the India Semiconductor Mission, the project has the potential to accelerate India's transformation into one of the world's most important digital economies.
As demand for AI computing power and cloud infrastructure continues to grow globally, investments of this scale highlight India's increasing role in shaping the future of the global digital landscape.