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Google Eyes AI Infrastructure, Server & Drone Manufacturing in India

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Google is exploring investments in AI infrastructure, server, and drone manufacturing in India. This follows Google's $15 billion investment plan for a gigawatt-scale AI ecosystem in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The project, in partnership with AdaniConneX and Nxtra by Airtel, includes three data centre campuses and aims to position Visakhapatnam as "AI Patnam." Vaishnaw urged global tech companies to expand local production of servers, GPUs, and chips.

Key Points: Google explores AI investments in India: Ashwini Vaishnaw

  • Google exploring investments in AI infrastructure, server and drone manufacturing in India
  • Company announced $15 billion AI ecosystem in Visakhapatnam
  • Project includes India's first gigawatt-scale AI hub with three data centre campuses
  • Minister urged global tech firms to manufacture servers, GPUs and chips locally
3 min read

Ashwini Vaishnaw says Google exploring investments in AI infrastructure, server and drone manufacturing in India

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says Google is exploring investments in AI infrastructure, server, and drone manufacturing in India, following a $15 billion AI hub in Visakhapatnam.

"India is poised to emerge as major trusted value chain and supply chain partner to the world in electronic manufacturing - Ashwini Vaishnaw"

New Delhi, May 8

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday said that Google is exploring investments in India in areas such as AI infrastructure and the manufacturing of servers and drones, signalling the tech giant's expanding interest in the country's technology ecosystem.

"Google is exploring investments in India across AI infrastructure and the manufacturing of servers and drones," Vaishnaw said in a post on X.

The minister's remarks come weeks after Google announced a USD 15 billion investment plan in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam to establish what it described as a "gigawatt-scale AI ecosystem".

Last month, Google broke ground on its India AI Hub project in Visakhapatnam in partnership with AdaniConneX and Nxtra by Airtel. The company said the project was part of its "largest investment in India's digital future to date."

The project includes "India's first gigawatt-scale AI hub comprising three data centre campuses," the company had said.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on April 28, Vaishnaw had said, "India is poised to emerge as major trusted value chain and supply chain partner to the world in electronic manufacturing, driven by strong policy support and visionary leadership."

According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Electronics & IT after the event, the USD 15 billion project will include a "1 GW hyperscale AI data centre in Visakhapatnam."

The statement said the Andhra Pradesh government had allocated around 600 acres of land in Turluvada, Rambilli and Adavivaram areas for the project.

At the event, Vaishnaw highlighted India's growing electronics manufacturing capabilities and urged global technology companies to expand local production.

"The Minister emphasized that India is becoming a trusted partner in semiconductor and electronics production and called upon global technology companies, including Google, to manufacture their servers, GPUs and chips within the country," the statement noted.

Describing the Visakhapatnam project as transformative, the minister had said the city would evolve into "AI Patnam (AI City)" through global investments and advanced digital infrastructure.

Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian had earlier described the development as "an inflexion point for the country's AI-native future," adding, "Together we are laying the foundation for Viksit Bharat, and opening new doors for economic opportunity nationwide."

Google Cloud Global Infrastructure Vice President Bikash Koley had also said that the AI Hub would "serve as a foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047 and play a critical role in India's digital transformation and global AI economy."

Adani Group Director Jeet Adani had called the 1 GW hyperscale AI data centre "a major milestone in India's AI journey" and said it would position Visakhapatnam "as a new digital gateway for India."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Impressive investment of $15 billion! But I hope this doesn't just remain a data centre that processes our data for foreign benefit. We need India to develop its own AI models and chips, not just host Google's infrastructure. At least the drone manufacturing part sounds promising for local manufacturing. Let's see how much technology transfer actually happens. 🤔
V
Vikram M
As someone from Vizag, this is amazing news! 'AI Patnam' sounds like a dream come true. The 600 acres allocated in Turluvada will transform the entire region. But I'm concerned about the environmental impact of these massive data centres - they consume enormous amounts of power and water. Hope sustainable practices are followed. Still, proud moment for Andhra Pradesh!
J
James A
This is exactly the kind of investment India needs to compete with China in tech manufacturing. Google's commitment to server and drone manufacturing here could make India a hub for AI hardware in Asia. The key is whether Indian engineers will get to work on cutting-edge R&D or just assembly lines. Trust but verify, as they say.
R
Rohit P
India becoming a trusted partner in semiconductor and electronics production - this is the real story here. For decades we were just consumers of tech, now we're becoming makers. The government's PLI schemes and policy support are working. But I hope the local population in Visakhapatnam gets proper skilling opportunities for these high-tech jobs. Arre bhai, training programs bhi chahiye!
K
Kavya N
Good step forward but let's not get carried away. $15 billion over how many years? And how much of that

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