Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is slated for his second visit to India this year, according to recent reports. The executive, who is of Indian origin, is expected to travel to New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. During his trip, he is scheduled to attend two prominent conferences focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and engage in discussions with Indian government officials. This visit underscores a growing trend of US-based technology giants showing increased interest in India’s thriving tech landscape. Earlier this year, Nadella unveiled Microsoft’s substantial investment plans for the country, a move mirrored by other major tech players like Google and OpenAI, who have also committed significant funds to bolster AI development in India.
Key Details of Microsoft CEO Nadella’s Upcoming India Visit
Citing two anonymous sources, reports indicate that Microsoft CEO Nadella’s visit to India is scheduled for December. He is expected to conduct meetings with Indian government officials in New Delhi. Furthermore, he is set to deliver addresses at two AI conferences, one in Mumbai and another in Bengaluru, marking his second visit to the nation this year.
This anticipated visit occurs as both the Indian and US administrations work towards resolving ongoing trade disputes. Concurrently, the Indian government has been actively championing local applications such as Zoho and Arattai, which are promoted as cost-effective alternatives to international services like Gmail and WhatsApp.
This upcoming trip will be the Microsoft CEO’s second to India in 2025. His previous visit in January, at an event in Bengaluru, saw him announce Microsoft’s ambitious plan to invest $3 billion (approximately Rs. 26,542 crore) over two years. This investment is aimed at significantly expanding the company’s cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure across India, a strategic move expected to boost its revenue.
A number of prominent US-based tech giants are keenly looking to leverage India’s vast demographic advantage. Earlier in the current month, Google committed an even more substantial investment of $15 billion (around Rs. 1.33 lakh crore) in India. This investment is specifically for establishing a new data center dedicated to advanced AI processing.
Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, disclosed that this new data center will be constructed in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The California-headquartered technology firm intends to deploy this investment over a five-year period.
Beyond Microsoft and Google, other notable US-based AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have also expressed significant interest in India. A recent report indicated that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is exploring plans to establish its first data center in India. At the time of the report, the company was actively seeking a local partner to bring this ambitious project to fruition. This data center is intended to power OpenAI’s AI servers, serving its growing Indian user base and potentially offering hosting services for local businesses.
Both OpenAI and Anthropic have independently announced their intentions to establish their first offices in India. The firm led by Sam Altman, OpenAI, has already commenced its recruitment efforts within the country, signaling a strong commitment to the Indian market.