AirTrunk, a leading hyperscale digital infrastructure platform in the APAC region, is set to invest over ₹3 lakh crore ($30 billion) towards India’s digital infrastructure capacity by 2030. This will be among the largest digital infrastructure investments currently in the works for the country.
A private company, AirTrunk was acquired by Blackstone (majority stake) and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) in 2024 and is well capitalised to fund development of hyperscale data centres across the region. The two entities invested alongside AirTrunk’s Founder and CEO Robin Khuda (minority stake) valuing the company at over A$24 billion. The implied enterprise valuation of AirTrunk is approximately ₹1,53,415 crore (₹1.53 trillion).
The investment will enable the next wave of cloud and artificial intelligence growth and position India as a cornerstone of AirTrunk’s global growth strategy and one of the company’s most significant long-term investment markets, as per a press release.
“Capital is mobile, and India is creating the conditions for it to thrive. 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. 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,” said Khuda.
Prior to the investment announcement, Khuda had his first senior government engagement program in India following the company’s entry into the market through the acquisition of Lumina CloudInfra in April this year. Through this acquisition, AirTrunk’s existing development pipeline in India includes 600 MW across Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
During the visit, Khuda met with federal representatives, and Ministers in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to discuss how government and industry can work together to accelerate investment in cloud and AI infrastructure.
The news also comes at a time when industry spokespersons like Nasscom’s Chairman Srikanth Velamakanni highlighted the need for private capital at scale in India to compete in the AI race.
India has set out one of the world’s most ambitious digital growth agendas. Through initiatives such as Digital India, the IndiaAI Mission , supported by more than ₹10,000 crore (approximately $1.2 billion) in funding, and the ₹76,000 crore (approximately $9 billion); and the India Semiconductor Mission, the Government has demonstrated a clear commitment to building the infrastructure, technology capabilities and investment environment needed to support long-term digital growth in AI, cloud computing and digital services.