Bharti Airtel and Google have announced a strategic partnership to develop India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The collaboration aims to accelerate AI adoption and enhance the country’s digital infrastructure.
The project involves a multi-faceted investment from Google, estimated at approximately $15 billion over a five-year period from 2026 to 2030. This investment will fund the development of gigawatt-scale data center operations designed to handle demanding AI workloads.
The infrastructure will be supported by a new subsea cable network and will utilize clean energy sources. The initiative will be executed in collaboration with ecosystem partners, including Airtel and AdaniConneX.
Infrastructure and Network Development
Under the agreement, Airtel and Google will jointly establish a purpose-built data center in Visakhapatnam. They will also build a new Cable Landing Station (CLS) to accommodate Google’s upcoming international subsea cables, connecting them to its global network.
Airtel’s role will also include the creation of a high-capacity, low-latency fiber network, both within Visakhapatnam (intra-city) and connecting to other cities (inter-city).
Stated Goals of the Partnership
The stated objectives of this initiative are to provide faster and more reliable services to Google’s users and customers in India. The project is expected to increase the capacity and resilience of India’s digital backbone.
Furthermore, the partnership aims to promote digital inclusivity and transformation across the nation, making the benefits of AI more accessible to a wider range of people and businesses.
Commenting on this, Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Bharti Airtel Limited, said:
This partnership with Google is a defining moment in India’s digital future. By combining world-class AI infrastructure with our nation’s extraordinary talent and also expanding global connectivity, we are laying the foundation for India to become a leader in the AI-driven era. With Visakhapatnam becoming a new hub on the world’s AI map, we are ensuring that India has the opportunity to set the pace for innovation, digital inclusion and economic growth—not just for our people, but for the world.
Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud, said:
Meeting the demands of India’s AI Mission requires cutting-edge infrastructure, computational power and ubiquitous connectivity. Working with Airtel, we will deliver next-generation AI services and create the essential digital backbone required to power inclusive growth across India.