Microsoft’s Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella, has reaffirmed the company’s long-term  commitment to India’s growing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital landscape. At a major  Microsoft event in New Delhi, Nadella announced substantial infrastructure investments to  boost AI adoption in India and enhance the country’s cloud capabilities. This renewed focus  reflects India’s emerging role as a global technology center and shows Microsoft’s confidence  in its digital future. 

Microsoft Increases AI and Cloud Investments 

During his speech, Nadella shared that Microsoft is investing USD 17.5 billion in India,  marking its largest investment in Asia so far. He noted that this amount is in addition to the  USD 3 billion announced during his last visit, indicating a significant expansion of cloud  services, AI infrastructure, and digital growth throughout the country. 

Nadella pointed out that the demand for advanced computing is rising in India due to the  rapid development of AI. Microsoft’s investments aim to provide top-notch infrastructure for  Indian developers, businesses, and public institutions. 

Expansion of Cloud Services and Sustainable Data Centres 

Nadella discussed Microsoft’s plans to grow its Azure cloud regions in India. Currently,  Azure operates in three main regions—Central India, West India, and South India—and has a  partnership with Jio. He announced the creation of a new data centre region, stating, “In  2026, we will have a new data centre in South Central India, and it will be 100 per cent  sustainable.” This aligns with Microsoft’s global commitment to sustainability and its vision  for a climate-friendly digital infrastructure. 

Attention to Safeguards and Digital Authority

A key part of Nadella’s speech focused on digital sovereignty, which is becoming  increasingly important as countries implement large-scale AI systems. He explained that  Microsoft is creating cloud solutions that provide organisations with multiple layers of  control to protect sensitive data while still accessing global cloud innovations. 

However, he warned that sovereignty must go hand in hand with cybersecurity. Nadella  mentioned that Microsoft monitors “trillions of daily signals” across platforms like Azure,  Windows, and Microsoft 365 to identify and counter threats. Without this global intelligence,  even sovereign systems can be at risk of cyberattacks. 

Developing Skills to Empower India 

Nadella revealed that he recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed  strong support for Microsoft’s investments in India, especially in areas that promote social  growth, economic opportunities, and digital inclusion. 

To support talent development in India, Microsoft announced plans to skill 20 million Indians  in AI and digital skills. Nadella highlighted initiatives like the government’s E-Shram  platform to show how AI can help the unorganised workforce and create new opportunities  across various sectors. 

He also noted India’s growing importance in the global developer community, predicting that  India will become the largest developer community on GitHub by 2030, thanks to its high  engagement and innovative projects. 

Conclusion 

Microsoft’s renewed investment in India represents a significant step in the country’s digital  transformation. By enhancing cloud infrastructure, establishing sustainable data centres,  advancing AI capabilities, and launching extensive skilling programs, Microsoft aims to  empower individuals, businesses, and government entities. Nadella concluded by reaffirming  the company’s mission: to enable every person and organisation in India to achieve more as  the nation confidently embraces an AI-driven future.