Satya Nadella Commits $17.5 Billion To India’s AI-First Future After Meeting PM Modi

December 9, 2025

image: Satya Nadella

In a major boost for India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) ambitions, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has announced a commitment of USD 17.5 billion to build the infrastructure and skills needed to advance AI in the country, marking Microsoft’s largest-ever investment in Asia. He revealed the decision in a post on X after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the PM’s residence in Delhi earlier in the day.

When it comes to AI, the world is optimistic about India!

Had a very productive discussion with Mr. Satya Nadella. Happy to see India being the place where Microsoft will make its largest-ever investment in Asia.

The youth of India will harness this opportunity to innovate… https://t.co/fMFcGQ8ctK
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2025

“Thank you, PM @narendramodi ji, for an inspiring conversation on India’s AI opportunity. To support the country’s ambitions, Microsoft is committing USD 17.5B – our largest investment ever in Asia – to help build the infrastructure, skills, and sovereign capabilities needed for India’s AI first future,” Nadella wrote. In response, PM Modi described the interaction as “productive” and said the world views India with optimism on AI, adding that India’s youth will use this opportunity to innovate and harness AI for a better planet.

Satya Nadella’s visit to India

Nadella is on a four-day trip to India, with engagements in Bengaluru and Mumbai following his stop in Delhi, as part of efforts to deepen Microsoft’s presence in the country and accelerate growth in cloud and AI. During a previous visit in January, he had announced a USD 3 billion Microsoft investment over two years focused on cloud and AI infrastructure and skilling, with the goal of making India “AI-first” by supporting AI innovation and training 10 million Indians in AI skills by 2030, including a strong focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities and women.

A key upcoming milestone is the planned launch of Microsoft 365 Copilot with in-country data processing by the end of 2025, aimed at ensuring AI data governance and compliance within India for sectors such as government, banking and financial services, insurance (BFSI), and healthcare. Nadella’s visit underlines India’s rise as a crucial global hub for AI innovation, talent, and infrastructure, as Microsoft steps up its AI engagement to strengthen the India-US partnership in AI, digital trade, and workforce skilling to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.