Google to Invest $15 Billion in India, Plans US Subsea Cable

35 lakh crore) to bolster India's Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The announcement was made during the AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi. Earlier on Wednesday, February 18, Pichai met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the company's long-term commitment to India's digital transformation. According to the company, this investment will be deployed over the next five years to enhance data capabilities and connectivity.

The India-US Connect Initiative

During the summit, Sundar Pichai introduced the 'India-US Connect Initiative,' a strategic project aimed at enhancing digital ties between the two nations. Under this plan, Google will lay a new subsea optical fiber cable route connecting India directly to the United States. This infrastructure is designed to provide high-speed data transmission and accelerate AI connectivity. The company stated that this subsea route will link multiple locations in India and the US, creating new opportunities for digital innovation and cross-border collaboration.

Strategic Landing Station in Visakhapatnam

A pivotal component of this investment is the establishment of a new international subsea landing station in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, while this facility will serve as a primary entry point for Google's global network in India. According to company officials, the station will facilitate direct connections between India and regions including Singapore, Australia, and South Africa. On top of that, Google plans to integrate four additional fiber routes to increase network capacity and mitigate the risk of service outages in the region.

Expansion of AI and Cloud Infrastructure

The $15 billion investment is heavily focused on expanding data center capacity and cloud computing infrastructure within India. This development is intended to support the training of advanced AI models and meet the surging demand for cloud services, while sundar Pichai noted that Google intends to partner with government bodies and local academic institutions to support AI science models and national research initiatives. The goal is to build a fundamental infrastructure that supports long-term technological growth.

Focus on AI Skill Development

Beyond physical infrastructure, Google is investing in human capital through the launch of a new AI Professional Certificate program in India, while this educational initiative is designed to train individuals in advanced AI technologies and methodologies. The company aims to create a pool of AI experts to support the evolving digital economy. Pichai emphasized that empowering the workforce with AI skills is essential for maximizing the benefits of the new technological infrastructure being built.

Integration with Global Digital Networks

Google's initiative seeks to integrate India more deeply into the global digital ecosystem by connecting it with Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia, while the company plans to develop both physical and digital systems to improve the scale of AI services and data infrastructure. According to the official statement, this investment represents a commitment to building solid, fundamental infrastructure that will serve India's digital needs for decades, ensuring high-speed connectivity and reliable data management.