Data Centre Roundtable and Investment Prospects

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday met stakeholders from the data centre industry to discuss ways to further promote ease of doing business for the sector. After the roundtable, he told reporters, "We did a round table discussion with stakeholders related to the data centre industry on ease of doing business to promote data centres in a big way because undoubtedly, India is the world's best location to set up data centres."

Goyal said data centres, semiconductor industries, artificial intelligence, and the increased manufacturing base will power India's growth in the coming years, helping the country achieve a $30 trillion economy by 2047. "Data center and semiconductor industry, the artificial intelligence foray of India, the increased manufacturing base that India has become for global quality products are all elements which will power India's growth in the years to come to greater heights and help us achieve a USD 30 trillion by 2047," he said.

On the data centre sector specifically, Goyal said discussions with companies showed strong investment interest. "Nothing less than USD 200 billion can be seen coming into the data center industry," he said. He added that some large hyperscalers, international investors, and Indian companies participating in the discussions believed that estimate was conservative. "Some of the participants, particularly the large hyperscalers, international investors and Indian companies looking to invest in data centers indicated that this is a very low figure and India has the potential, the demand [is higher]," he said, as reported by ANI.

Goyal also noted that several issues raised by the industry during earlier interactions had been addressed through coordination between central government departments and states. He said, "We go back from this meeting educated, with lots of ideas how we can make India the data center of the world."

GDP Growth and Political Exchange

The minister also addressed India's economic growth, which he said stood at 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter. "We are proud of the people of India who, even in these very unnerving and difficult times, with two wars raging and global uncertainty and volatility, have given India 7.8 per cent growth in the quarter from April to June 2026," he said.

Responding to criticism from the Congress party over the GDP figures, Goyal took a dismissive tone. He said, "Angoor khatte hain, mujhe lagta hai" (the grapes are sour, I think), a reference to the fable of the fox and the grapes. He added, "I think it is the same system that has been preparing this data for years. I think it is an insult to the people of India who are working hard and achieving such fabulous results."

The Congress, in turn, termed the latest GDP numbers as "statistical gymnastics" and said the Make in India initiative has achieved very little, while the Modi government's signature "Fake in India" scheme continues unabated. Goyal responded that the attacks were not on the government but on the wisdom, hard work, and sincerity of 1.4 billion Indians. He also said, "It is their capability and hard work that are making India's economy grow rapidly."

Japan Engagements

Goyal also mentioned his recent engagements in Japan, covering sectors including semiconductors, shipbuilding and ship repair, AI, data centres, automobiles and components, electronics, engineering, and pharmaceuticals. He said discussions showed enthusiasm across these sectors, according to ANI.