Piyush Goyal Meets Microsoft India Chief on Data Centres and AI Mission

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with Microsoft India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok to discuss expanding data centre capacity and advancing India's AI infrastructure. The discussions focused on positioning India as a preferred destination for global technology investment and strengthening its role as a trusted AI partner.

Microsoft has committed to significant expansion in India. In December 2025, the company announced plans to invest USD 17.5 billion over four years from 2026 to 2029 for cloud and AI infrastructure, skilling initiatives, and operations. This builds on an earlier USD 3 billion commitment. In August, Microsoft announced its India South Central cloud region in Hyderabad, bringing its operational cloud regions in India to four.

The meeting aligns with the government's IndiaAI Mission, approved in March 2024 with an outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore over five years to develop the country's AI ecosystem.