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Australian data centre operator AirTrunk plans to invest $30 billion in India by 2030, aiming to support growing demand for AI, cloud computing and digital services while strengthening the country’s position as a regional technology hub. Sydney-headquartered AirTrunk, backed by Blackstone and Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), entered the Indian market in April with its purchase of Lumina CloudInfra.
Australia's AirTrunk said on Friday (June 5, 2026) it would invest $30 billion in India within the next four years to build out 5 gigawatts of new data centre capacity in the South Asian nation.
Chief Executive Robin Khuda, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said India was now considered one of the Australian company's most significant long-term investment destinations.
"One of the strongest messages we took away from this week was a genuine sense of urgency. There is a recognition that AI investment is a global race and that capital will flow to places that are prepared to compete for it," Khuda said.
"Every market has strengths and challenges. What investors consistently look for is certainty, coordination and speed," he added.
The firm's Indian development pipeline includes 600 megawatts of capacity projects in the key cities of Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad, but the range will be increased with the new investment. India is becoming a global hotspot for AI development by offering tax breaks for foreign firms operating from domestic data centres.
During his visit, Khuda met with Federal representatives, as well as State Ministers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, to discuss infrastructure, energy, and policy frameworks necessary to sustain AI-driven growth.
"Capital is mobile, and India is creating the conditions for it to thrive," Robin Khuda said in the statement. "India is taking a top-down approach to AI with clear government-led initiatives, a world-class talent pool and 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," he added.
"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 added.
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The company noted that India's digital initiatives, including the IndiaAI Mission with over Rs. 10,000 crore ($1.2 billion) in funding and the Rs. 76,000 crore ($9 billion) India Semiconductor Mission, establish a strong investment environment for long-term cloud and AI growth.
"Prime Minister Modi's vision for India's digital economy has helped create one of the world's most compelling destinations for technology investment," Khuda said. "India has the scale, talent, and ambition required to become a global AI powerhouse. AirTrunk is excited to support that vision through long-term and transformative investment, infrastructure development, community programs, and partnership."
AirTrunk’s investment underscores India’s growing role in the global digital economy. As demand for AI, cloud computing and data storage rises, large-scale infrastructure projects could help strengthen connectivity, attract technology investment and support the country’s long-term digital ambitions.
