AirTrunk to invest $30 billion in India to develop 5 GW of data centre capacity, PM Modi hails move – Firstpost

Australian data centre operator AirTrunk on Friday announced it will invest more than $30 billion to develop 5 gigawatts of data centre capacity by 2030.

The investment would nearly double AirTrunk’s global data centre capacity, which currently stands at 3 GW.

In a statement, AirTrunk described India as a cornerstone of its global growth strategy and one of its most significant long-term investment markets.

AirTrunk said the proposed investment programme would rank among the largest digital infrastructure initiatives currently being considered in India and help enable the next wave of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) growth.

The development comes as demand for AI continues to rise in India and globally, requiring massive data centres and computing capacity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought investments in the country’s digital infrastructure to make the economy future-ready. In the Budget 2026-27, the government announced a 20-year tax holiday for foreign companies setting up data centres in India.

AirTrunk said its proposed development pipeline in India spanning multiple states and union territories (UTs) would support the country’s ambition to become a global destination for AI and cloud infrastructure investment while generating significant economic activity, employment, and growth in the technology ecosystem.

Earlier this year, the Blackstone- and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)-backed AirTrunk entered the Indian market by acquiring Lumina CloudInfra, which already had around 600 megawatts of data centre capacity and $5 billion in planned investments.

Following the announcement, the AirTrunk CEO Robin Khuda said India is creating the conditions for capital to thrive. He added that the country is taking a top-down approach to AI, with clear government-led initiatives, a world-class talent pool, and a massive availability of renewable energy.

“We were bullish on India before entering the market through Lumina. Following our discussions with government leaders this week, we’re looking to double down on that commitment. We heard a clear message that India is open for investment and determined to compete for the next generation of AI and cloud infrastructure that will transform India’s industries and economy for generations to come,” Khuda further said.

Following the announcement on X, Modi shared photographs of his meeting with Khuda and hailed the investment as a clear sign “that the future of the world’s digital economy is increasingly being shaped in India.”

“Such investments will strengthen India’s position as a global hub for cloud computing and AI, while generating employment opportunities, supporting local supply chains, and accelerating innovation-led growth,” Modi further said.

India’s digital infrastructure journey is gathering remarkable momentum.

AirTrunk has announced plans to invest around Rs. 3 lakh crore ($30 billion) in India, and develop 5 GW of data centre capacity. This is among the largest proposed investments in the country’s digital… pic.twitter.com/ZW82nneN5x

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2026

AirTrunk said India is uniquely positioned to attract investment, innovation, and high-value jobs as AI adoption accelerates globally.

Investment in 5 GW of new data centre capacity underpins significant local economic opportunities, as each major project supports tens of thousands of local jobs across development, construction, and operations, while also attracting cloud, AI, and technology investment that drives long-term productivity and economic growth, the company said in a statement.