India Positioned to Become Global Data Centre Hub as AI, Quantum and Digital Infrastructure Drive New Economic Era: Dr Jitendra Singh

Describing data centres as the “next oil economy,” Dr. Jitendra Singh said future global competition will increasingly revolve around control over data, digital infrastructure, computing power and secure technology ecosystems.

India is rapidly emerging as a major global technology powerhouse, with data centres, Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies and next-generation digital infrastructure set to redefine the country's economic and strategic future, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said while addressing industry leaders at the Annual Leadership Summit organised by AMCHAM India.

The Minister stated that the world is increasingly looking towards India for technology partnerships, innovation ecosystems and digital infrastructure investments, signalling a major shift from the earlier era when India depended heavily on global technological breakthroughs originating elsewhere.

Delivering the keynote address during the special session on "Future-Proofing India's Data Centres: Resilient Supply Chains and Opportunities," Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India is fully prepared to become one of the world's most trusted and competitive data centre hubs, backed by strong policy reforms, clean energy integration, private sector participation and rapidly expanding digital capabilities.

Data Economy Becomes Strategic National Priority

Dr. Jitendra Singh said India can no longer view the data economy merely as a technological transition, but must recognize it as a strategic national opportunity that will shape investments, employment generation, industrial competitiveness and geopolitical influence for decades to come.

He described data infrastructure as the foundation of the future digital economy and said countries that establish leadership in secure data storage, processing capabilities and advanced digital ecosystems will dominate future global economic systems.

According to the Minister, India's growing strength in AI, cloud computing, digital governance platforms, telecommunications and emerging technologies has positioned the country as a highly attractive destination for global technology investments.

He noted that India's expanding digital public infrastructure, rapid internet penetration, growing startup ecosystem and policy-driven reforms are collectively creating one of the world's most dynamic digital economies.

India's Data Centre Capacity Expected to Expand Fourfold

Highlighting the scale of upcoming growth, Dr. Jitendra Singh said India's data centre capacity is projected to expand from approximately 1.5 gigawatts (GW) to nearly 6.5 GW by 2030, reflecting the enormous demand being created by AI applications, cloud services, fintech, e-commerce, digital governance and data-intensive industries.

The Minister said the ongoing expansion of data infrastructure is expected to generate nearly one lakh engineering and technology-related jobs in sectors such as:

• Artificial Intelligence systems

• Smart cooling technologies

• Renewable energy integration

• Smart power grids

• Semiconductor-linked infrastructure

• Advanced telecom systems

• Data security and cyber resilience

• Digital infrastructure management

He stated that India's rapidly evolving ecosystem involving AI, 6G technologies, semiconductors and digital public platforms is creating unprecedented opportunities for international technology collaboration and long-term investments.

"Data Centres Are the Next Oil Economy"

Describing data centres as the "next oil economy," Dr. Jitendra Singh said future global competition will increasingly revolve around control over data, digital infrastructure, computing power and secure technology ecosystems.

He emphasized that nations capable of developing secure, scalable and sustainable digital infrastructure would gain long-term economic and strategic advantages.

According to the Minister, India must adopt an integrated national strategy involving collaboration between:

• Government institutions

• Private industry

• Telecom operators

• Infrastructure developers

• Renewable energy providers

• Research organisations

• Technology innovators

He said such coordination is essential to fully capitalize on opportunities emerging in hyperscale data centres and colocation infrastructure markets, both of which are witnessing explosive global demand.

Quantum Mission Demonstrates India's Technological Progress

Referring to India's progress in frontier technologies, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the country today stands alongside leading nations in several advanced technology domains.

He cited the National Quantum Mission as a major example of India's accelerating technological capabilities. The Minister revealed that India has already achieved more than half of its targeted quantum communication infrastructure within a much shorter timeline than originally planned.

Against the target of establishing 2,000 kilometres of secure quantum communication infrastructure over eight years, India has already crossed 1,000 kilometres in just three years.

The achievement demonstrates India's growing expertise in quantum communication, cybersecurity and advanced digital technologies, sectors expected to become critically important in future defence, finance and communication systems.

Experts believe quantum communication technologies could revolutionize secure data transmission by making communication networks virtually immune to cyberattacks and interception.

Government Reforms Accelerating Future Technologies

Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undertaken several bold reforms to prepare India for future industries and strategic technologies.

The Minister highlighted multiple initiatives designed to strengthen India's technology ecosystem, including:

• Long-term tax incentives for foreign cloud service providers

• National Research Foundation

• India Semiconductor Mission

• Opening of space sector to private participation

• Reforms in nuclear energy sector

• Promotion of deep-tech innovation

• Digital public infrastructure expansion

He remarked that many of these reforms were once considered impossible in India, but the Government demonstrated the political will to move decisively in sectors crucial for long-term economic growth and technological leadership.

The opening of traditionally restricted sectors like space and nuclear energy to private participation has particularly transformed India's innovation landscape, attracting startups, global investors and advanced technology firms.

Government and Industry Becoming Equal Partners

The Minister stressed that the Government is not merely regulating technological growth but actively creating enabling frameworks that accelerate industry participation and innovation.

He said India is entering a new phase where Government institutions and private industry are working as equal partners in nation-building through science, technology and innovation.

This collaborative approach is helping create stronger innovation ecosystems while improving India's competitiveness in advanced sectors such as AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, digital infrastructure and clean energy systems.

Industry experts attending the summit observed that India's combination of policy stability, market size, engineering talent and digital adoption makes it uniquely positioned to become a global technology and data infrastructure hub.

Sustainable Infrastructure Key to Future Growth

Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India's future growth in the data centre sector would depend heavily on sustainable infrastructure and resilient supply chains.

He identified several critical factors necessary for long-term success, including:

• Reliable energy systems

• Renewable energy integration

• Advanced telecom connectivity

• Subsea cable infrastructure

• Efficient cooling technologies

• Smart grid systems

• Coordinated policy support

The Minister said India's growing compatibility between Government policy and private sector participation has created a favourable ecosystem for the development of secure, sustainable and globally competitive digital infrastructure.

With the rapid expansion of AI-driven services, cloud computing, fintech platforms, e-governance and digital commerce, the demand for high-capacity, energy-efficient and secure data centres is expected to increase dramatically over the coming years.

India Emerging as Trusted Global Digital Infrastructure Destination

The Minister concluded by stating that India is well-positioned to emerge as one of the world's most dependable destinations for digital infrastructure investments.

He said the convergence of policy reforms, skilled talent, clean energy initiatives, private sector innovation and advanced technological capabilities gives India a unique advantage in the evolving global digital economy.

As nations worldwide increasingly focus on secure data ecosystems, AI infrastructure and next-generation communication technologies, India's growing capabilities in these areas are expected to strengthen both its economic influence and technological leadership globally.