Union Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said India expects to attract over $200 billion in artificial intelligence and data infrastructure-related investments over the next two years. The statement was made during the ongoing India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.
Speaking to NDTV, the minister said that approximately $70 billion has already been committed, while an additional $90 billion has been announced. He indicated that policy measures, including long-term tax incentives, are expected to further accelerate investment in the sector.
Policy Support for Data Infrastructure
The investment outlook comes alongside fiscal measures announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, including a 21-year tax holiday for companies providing cloud services through data centres established in India. The government expects this policy to strengthen domestic data infrastructure and encourage global technology firms to expand operations in the country.
Officials have positioned data centres, semiconductor infrastructure, and AI computing capacity as foundational components of India’s digital economy strategy.
India’s Position in the AI Ecosystem
Mr. Vaishnaw said India holds capabilities across multiple layers of the artificial intelligence stack — from physical hardware infrastructure to software platforms and end-use applications. He stated that India is increasingly viewed as a “trusted AI partner” for countries in the Global South due to its emphasis on open, affordable, and development-focused technology solutions.
Citing the Stanford Global AI Index, he noted that India is ranked third globally in AI-related indicators.
The government has consistently highlighted the importance of inclusive AI deployment, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education and public services.
Workforce and Skill Development
The minister also emphasised India’s established strength in the information technology sector. He said the government is working closely with private companies to support upskilling and reskilling initiatives aimed at preparing the workforce for AI-driven industries.
Academic institutions are reportedly revising curricula to align with evolving technological requirements. Officials have stated that ensuring talent readiness is central to sustaining long-term growth in AI and data-driven sectors.
India AI Impact Summit
India formally opened the multi-day AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, bringing together technology leaders, policymakers, startup founders and industry experts from around the world.
The summit is being positioned as both an investment platform and a diplomatic forum. Officials have indicated that India intends to use the platform to advocate for broader global access to AI technologies.
A key proposal expected to be discussed is the creation of a “global AI commons” — a shared repository of AI use cases across critical sectors that could be accessed by countries worldwide. The concept aligns with India’s stated objective of democratising AI access for developing economies.
Strategic Context
The global artificial intelligence sector has witnessed rapid expansion in investment and policy development over the past several years. Governments are increasingly focused on building domestic computing infrastructure, strengthening semiconductor supply chains and establishing governance frameworks for responsible AI deployment.
India’s projected $200 billion investment target reflects its ambition to position itself as a major global hub for AI innovation, data infrastructure and technology services.
While investment commitments have been announced, the pace of implementation and capital deployment will depend on regulatory clarity, infrastructure readiness and global market conditions.