India remains key market despite global tariff pressures: Google
What's the story
Google has reaffirmed its commitment to India, despite the ongoing trade and tariff tensions with the US. Preeti Lobana, Google's Country Manager and VP for India, emphasized India's strategic importance in the tech giant's global plans. "India is deeply critical for us," she told Moneycontrol. She added that Google sees India as a "major growth area" and is committed to "doing good for India on systemic challenges."
Investment details
Google's ongoing and upcoming investments in India
Lobana highlighted Google's ongoing and future investments in India, including the recently announced $15 billion investment for a data center in Visakhapatnam. She also talked about the opening of its largest India office in Bengaluru and the establishment of Asia's first Google Safety Engineering Center with a focus on privacy and safety. "We are continuing to invest," Lobana said while stressing Google's commitment to India's growth despite external challenges.
Strategic significance
Google's Vizag investment: A testament to belief in India
Lobana stressed that the $15 billion investment in Vizag is a major testament to Google's belief in India. She said, "It is the single largest investment of its kind outside the US." The data center will not only add power to the grid but also harness renewable sources like solar and wind. This move highlights Google's commitment toward clean energy and sustainability in India.
AI focus
Google aims to leverage AI for India's systemic challenges
Lobana said Google is looking at how it can embed artificial intelligence (AI) into its products and services. She emphasized the need for local relevance, citing the example of Indian women using gond ke laddoo for post-natal maternal care. "So, we build all that into our model so that it becomes locally aware in terms of Indic languages but also culturally aware," she added.
Ecosystem support
Google supports India's AI mission and startup ecosystem
Lobana praised the Indian government's ambitious AI mission, saying it has a clear vision with defined pillars. She said, "In each of these pillars, we see ourselves as partners." On India's startup ecosystem, she said Google is "very bullish." "We are here believing in India, believing in the need for deep tech," Lobana added while emphasizing Google's long-term view and commitment to investing not just financially but also with its expertise.