Meta Platforms has partnered with Reliance Industries to build its first AI-enabled data centre in India.
The development marks a significant step in the country’s growing role in the global artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure market. The new facility will be situated in Jamnagar, Gujarat and is expected to be operational within the next two years.
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Jamnagar: The New AI Infrastructure Hub of India
Under the agreement, Reliance will develop a 168-megawatt data centre that Meta will lease to support its expanding AI operations. The project includes room for future expansion as demand for computing power continues to rise worldwide. Reliance will handle the entire infrastructure stack, including construction, utilities, connectivity and operational management.
The move gives Meta its first dedicated AI-focused data centre footprint in India. For Reliance, it strengthens ambitions to position Jamnagar as a major destination for large-scale data centre and AI investments. The project builds on the long-standing relationship between the two companies, which already spans digital services, connectivity and enterprise AI initiatives.
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Tapping into India’s Massive User Base
The partnership comes at a time when global technology companies are racing to secure more computing infrastructure to train and run advanced AI models. India’s large internet user base, growing digital economy and rising enterprise adoption of AI have made the country an increasingly attractive destination for such investments.
Meta said the Jamnagar facility will support its long-term AI expansion plans while bringing critical infrastructure closer to one of its largest user markets. The company has also announced renewable energy commitments in India to support its growing infrastructure footprint.
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What It Means for India’s Data Centre Market
Industry experts view the announcement as another signal that India is moving beyond being just a consumer market for technology and is increasingly becoming a destination for AI infrastructure development. Large-scale investments in data centres, cloud infrastructure and AI-ready facilities are expected to accelerate over the coming years as demand for AI services grows across sectors.
The Meta-Reliance deal also highlights how global technology firms are increasingly looking at India not only for users and developers but also as a strategic base for future AI capacity.
This deal signals that the “battle for the backbone” of India’s internet is heating up.
With Google already looking at Andhra Pradesh and Reliance anchoring Meta in Gujarat, the next three years will likely see a massive shift in where our data lives.
For investors, the real story isn’t just social media; it’s the physical infrastructure: power, land and cooling, that will determine the winners of the AI era.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
