In fact, Google just announced a record-setting $15 billion! They’re opening a new regional data center in Visakhapatnam, an economic hub and major port city in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. This effort strengthens Google’s overall plan. It seeks to advance AI research and overall infrastructure on a global scale. Over the next five years, Google will build this mammoth facility. It will join a global network of AI centers that currently covers 12 other countries and reaches through 2030.
With the new data center in Visakhapatnam, we’re poised to make a real impact! It will not only benefit India, but several countries in Asia and further afield. Google recently partnered with Bharti Airtel, one of India’s largest telecom operators. Together, they’re currently pursuing plans for a shared data center and an associated cable landing station in the city. This collaborative effort will work toward improving connectivity and the digital infrastructure across the region.
Thomas Kurian, head of cloud engineering at Google, underscored the importance of this new hub in the announcement. He said it would be a key part of Google’s global strategy.
“In addition to that, we’re also pleased to announce that we will be making Vishakhapatnam a global connectivity hub,” – Thomas Kurian
From the Visakhapatnam center, researchers and developers will gain access to Google’s AI models, including Gemini. It will provide an SDK and agent-building toolkit. Google in particular has been making aggressive moves to grow its cloud footprint in India. The firm has established cloud regions in cities including Delhi and Mumbai.
The new investment round comes at a time when the central Indian government has been heavily advocating for local Indian alternatives to the global tech domination. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump arbitrarily slapped a 50% tariff on certain Indian imports. This shift has ignited serious conversations around the need for self-reliance in technology. Companies such as Chennai-based Zoho Corporation are getting noticed as successful local alternatives.
Indian IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw responded positively to Google’s announcement, highlighting its potential impact on India’s AI mission.
“This AI hub will be a very important contribution to the [India] AI mission goals in different ways,” – Ashwini Vaishnaw
Andhra Pradesh has a legacy of success in drawing international technology companies. Major firms including Oracle and Microsoft have announced innovation hubs under its auspices. Under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the state has positioned itself as a favorable destination for technology investments.
Kurian provided more details about how the Visakhapatnam hub fits into Google’s worldwide network.
“We see it not just becoming a landing station for a large number of cables, but also providing a digital backbone connecting different parts of India together,” – Thomas Kurian
Google’s commitment to investing in India reflects its intention to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. The new data center will have a huge impact on connectivity. This regional deployment of Ciena will help meet the rising demand for cloud services throughout the Southeast.