Meta Platforms announced it will lease a 168 megawatt AI-enabled data center in India from Reliance Industries, marking a significant expansion of its infrastructure in the region [1]. The data center, to be built in Jamnagar by Reliance, is expected to be delivered within two years and includes an option for Meta to scale its capacity further [1]. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, stated that the facility will help scale Meta's AI infrastructure globally and deepen the company's long-term investment in India's economy [1].
This partnership builds on Meta's previous $5.7 billion investment in Reliance's Jio Platforms in 2020 and a joint venture established last year to make Meta's open-source AI models available to Indian enterprises and developers [1]. Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance, described Meta's latest investment as a 'transformative moment for India's digital infrastructure' [1].
The announcement comes amid a surge of global investment in India's AI ecosystem, with $400 billion flowing into the sector over the past year, primarily directed toward data centers and energy infrastructure [1]. According to a June 2 report by Nomura, India's data center industry is among the fastest-growing globally, with capacity expected to reach 7 GW by 2030 due to its cost efficiency compared to other developed markets [1].
In addition to the data center deal, Meta is partnering with Indian clean energy providers CleanMax and Fourth Partner Energy for nearly 1 GW of renewable energy projects across northern and southern India, supporting Meta's goal of matching all operations with 100% clean and renewable energy [1]. The Indian government has also announced a 20-year tax exemption for hyperscalers using data centers in the country to service global clients, further incentivizing such investments [1].
CONCLUSION
Meta's agreement with Reliance Industries to lease a large-scale AI-enabled data center underscores the rapid growth and attractiveness of India's digital infrastructure sector. The deal, alongside significant clean energy commitments and favorable government policies, positions both companies to benefit from India's expanding role in the global AI and data center market.