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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 18 TECHNOLOGY February 20, 2026 Adani Bets $100 Billion On Data Centres To Power India’s AI Ambitions Prime Minister Modi Inaugurates India-AI Impact Summit 2026 A dani Enterprises said on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) that it will invest $100 billion to build renewable-powered AI-ready data centres by 2035, positioning India as a contender in the global AI race. India has seen a surge in big-ticket AI infrastructure spending, with global players like Google, Amazon, Meta Platforms and Microsoft ramping up investments along with domestic companies such as Reliance and TCS. “AI-ready data centers would be a critical nerve center of the AI-driven environment and it’s natural that large groups with deep pockets will get future-ready by setting up such data centers,” said Ambareesh Baliga, an inde- pendent market analyst. Top firms, including Reliance and the Adani Group, are moving quickly to capture the vast opportunities as businesses align themselves with what is seen as a major disruptor ahead, he added. Adani said that the investment is expected to trigger an additional $150 billion across related industries includ- ing server manufacturing and sovereign cloud platforms. Together, this is projected to create a $250 billion AI infra- structure ecosystem in India over the decade, it added. Shares of Adani Enterprises closed 2.7% higher, mak- ing the stock the top gainer on the benchmark Nifty 50 index. INDIA-AI BOOM Having been on the periphery of the AI boom so far due to the absence of any significant chip manufacturing capability, data centers represent India’s best chance of making a mark on the global stage. The investment will develop a model linking renew- able energy, power grid resilience and AI computing, according to Adani. “For decades, we imported technology. Now we are building the backbone,” Chairman Gautam Adani said in a post on X. “India will not follow the AI century. India will shape it”. The ports-to-power conglomerate will build on its existing 2 gigawatt data center capacity and scale it to 5 GW to create the world’s largest integrated data center platform, it said, without providing a timeline. Additionally, Adani will invest $55 billion to expand its renewable energy portfolio, which will include one of the world’s largest battery energy storage systems. AI PARTNERSHIPS Adani has an existing partnership with Google, which has pledged to invest $15 billion over five years to build an AI data center, its biggest ever investment in India. The company said on Tuesday it will expand its exist- ing partnership withWalmart-backed Flipkart to develop a second AI data center. It is also in discussions with other major players to es- tablish large-scale campuses across India, it said, without disclosing further details. -Reuters P rime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurat- ed the massive and highly anticipated In- dia AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Feb. 16. The Summit is expected to host thousands of delegates and industry experts as well as high-level officials from around the world. Modi will deliver the inaugural speech on Feb. 19. “Being here among innovators, researchers and tech enthusiasts gives a glimpse of the ex- traordinary potential of AI, Indian talent and in- novation. Together, we will shape solutions not just for India but for the world!” Modi posted on his X.com account. He also posted several pictures of his meet- ings with young entrepreneurs at their display stalls (see below). The Summit is the first of its kind to be held in the Global South. More than 20 Heads of State, 60 Ministers, and 500 global AI leaders are expected to attend, ANI reported. The dedicated website on the Summit – impact.indiaai.gov.in/ notes the Summit is expected “to shape a future-oriented agenda for impactful Artificial Intelligence (AI) coopera- tion and mark a strategic shift from “Action” to “Impact”.” It goes on to say the Summit “aims to ensure that AI serves as a catalyst for inclusive human development, environmental sustainability, and equitable progress worldwide, bridging the Glob- al AI Divide through concrete multilateral action and enabling AI to strengthen communities, pro- tect our planet, and accelerate progress toward a just and sustainable future for all humanity.” By Urvi Dugar and AbinayaV By a StaffWriter PHOTO: REUTERS/FRANCIS MASCARENHAS/FILE PHOTO PHOTO:YouTube/narendramodivia ANI A logo of the Adani Group is seen on a commercial complex in Mumbai, India, February 7, 2023. PM Modi entering the venue for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Feb. 16, 2026. Seen here with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State Jitin Prasada.