Union Minister Piyush Goyal noted a $200 billion investment opportunity for data centres in India at a CEO roundtable in Delhi.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting at Vanijya Bhawan on Wednesday, Goyal said India is the world’s best location to set up data centres and that the government wants to keep improving the ease of doing business for the sector.

He linked this growth to India’s broader ambition of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047, alongside gains in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and manufacturing.

Goyal’s $200 billion figure, he noted, may actually undersell the opportunity. Several participants at the roundtable told him the number was conservative given India’s demand, international interest and existing capabilities.

Industry estimates back this up too, with one report projecting data centre investment commitments could cross $300 billion by 2030, and some stakeholders pointing to a $700 to $800 billion opportunity overall.

The discussion centred on practical hurdles that slow down projects, including power supply, land availability, construction timelines and environmental clearances.

Devin Narang, Chairman of Turner & Townsend, said several issues, including power connectivity, were resolved on the spot during the meeting, with subcommittees now formed to work through the rest within a set timeframe.

Representatives from state governments, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, joined roughly 46 data centre companies at the roundtable.

The government also flagged that India’s National Building Code 2026 now formally recognises data centres as a distinct category, with specific rules covering fire safety and performance standards.

Microsoft India and South Asia COO Himani Agrawal pointed to the company’s four operating regions in the country, including a newly AI ready facility in Hyderabad, as a sign of how India is positioning itself in the global AI infrastructure race.

Goyal also referenced recent talks in Japan, where businesses showed interest in partnering with India across semiconductors, AI, data centres and related technology sectors.

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