India’s rapid emergence as a global artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure hub has attracted another major international investor. Australian data centre giant AirTrunk has announced plans to invest approximately US$30 billion in India by 2030, marking one of the largest foreign commitments ever made in the country’s digital infrastructure sector.
The Sydney-based company revealed that it intends to develop up to 5 gigawatts of new data centre capacity over the next four years, significantly expanding its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing technology markets.
India Becomes a Strategic Priority
AirTrunk only entered the Indian market earlier this year through the acquisition of Lumina CloudInfra, but the company is already positioning India as a cornerstone of its global growth strategy.
Chief Executive Officer Robin Khuda described India as one of the company’s most important long-term investment destinations following meetings with Narendra Modi.
The investment will initially focus on major metropolitan areas including Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad, where AirTrunk already has approximately 600 megawatts of projects in development.
The Global Race for AI Infrastructure
The announcement highlights the intensifying international competition to build the infrastructure required for artificial intelligence, cloud computing and advanced digital services.
Data centres have become the backbone of the AI revolution, hosting the enormous computing power needed to train and operate large-scale AI models. Governments worldwide are competing to attract investments in this sector, offering incentives and streamlined approval processes.
According to AirTrunk, India’s policy environment is becoming increasingly attractive due to government support, tax incentives and a growing demand for cloud and AI services.
“Capital will flow to places that are prepared to compete for it,” Khuda said, emphasizing the importance of regulatory certainty and fast project approvals.
India’s Digital Transformation Accelerates
India is positioning itself as a leading destination for technology investment thanks to its massive population, expanding digital economy and growing demand for AI-powered services.
The country is also witnessing significant commitments from domestic industrial giants. Conglomerates such as Reliance Industries and Adani Group have announced plans worth hundreds of billions of dollars to expand their presence in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, renewable energy and data infrastructure.
Industry analysts believe India could become one of the world’s largest data centre markets over the next decade, rivaling established hubs in North America, Europe and parts of Asia.
What It Means for Australia
For Australia, AirTrunk’s expansion demonstrates the growing global influence of Australian technology companies in sectors traditionally dominated by American and Asian players.
The investment also strengthens economic ties between Australia and India at a time when both governments are seeking deeper cooperation in technology, trade and strategic industries.
As AI continues to reshape the global economy, infrastructure investments such as AirTrunk’s may prove just as significant as investments in software and innovation itself.
The race to build the digital foundations of the future is accelerating—and India appears determined to be at the centre of it.
