Pictures’ Credit: x.com/narendramodi
Top global technology leaders, including Cognizant Chief Executive Officer Ravi Kumar S, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, and Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, reaffirming their commitment to invest further and expand their operations across India, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, skilling and regional growth.
The high-level meetings underscored India’s growing importance as a global technology, innovation and manufacturing hub, particularly in emerging areas such as AI adoption, semiconductor manufacturing and advanced digital skills.
Cognizant Emphasises Expansion Beyond Metros
IT services major Cognizant said its leadership assured the Prime Minister of continued investment in India, with plans to expand into emerging cities and strengthen talent development.
“Our CEO, @imravikumars, along with Rajesh Varrier, Chairman and Managing Director, Cognizant India, had the distinct privilege of meeting with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, @narendramodi, for an inspiring conversation on accelerating AI adoption and advancing education and skill development to enhance AI capabilities and productivity,” the company said in a post on its official X handle.
Cognizant added that its CEO reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to India and briefed the Prime Minister on plans aimed at promoting equitable growth.
“Our CEO also reaffirmed to the Prime Minister Cognizant’s continued commitment to India and apprised him of our plans to expand into emerging cities to promote equitable growth and talent development,” the post said.
Intel Backs India’s Semiconductor Ambitions
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said his discussions with Prime Minister Modi focused on technology, computing and India’s rapidly expanding potential in the global tech ecosystem.
“Honoured to meet Prime Minister @narendramodi in New Delhi this afternoon. We had a wide-ranging discussion on a variety of topics related to technology, computing and the tremendous potential for India,” Tan wrote on X.
He also praised the government’s push to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem. “I applaud the Prime Minister for putting in place a comprehensive semiconductor design and manufacturing policy, and Intel is committed to supporting the India Semiconductor Mission,” he added.
Intel has already signalled its intention to deepen its footprint in India’s semiconductor value chain. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tata Group to enable the manufacturing, assembly and packaging of Intel-designed products at Tata Electronics’ upcoming semiconductor fabrication and OSAT (outsourced semiconductor assembly and test) facilities. The partnership also includes collaboration on advanced semiconductor packaging in India.
Through the collaboration, Tata will provide manufacturing and packaging capabilities, helping Intel localise key parts of its global supply chain.
Microsoft Commits $17.5 Billion for AI and Cloud in India
Earlier in the day, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella also met Prime Minister Modi, following which the company announced a major long-term investment plan for India.
Microsoft said it will invest $17.5 billion in India over the next four years—from calendar years 2026 to 2029—to accelerate AI diffusion, cloud infrastructure, skilling initiatives and ongoing operations.
“Today we are announcing our largest investment in Asia — $17.5 billion over four years (CY 2026 to 2029) — to advance India’s cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, skilling and ongoing operations,” Microsoft said in a statement. The company noted that this builds on a $3 billion investment announced earlier this year, which it expects to complete by the end of CY2026.
Nadella described his meeting with the Prime Minister as encouraging and forward-looking. “Thank you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for an inspiring conversation on India’s AI opportunity. To support the country’s ambitions, Microsoft is committing US$17.5B—our largest investment ever in Asia—to help build the infrastructure, skills, and sovereign capabilities needed for India’s AI-first future,” he said in a post on X.
Prime Minister Modi, responding to Nadella, highlighted global confidence in India’s AI journey. “When it comes to AI, the world is optimistic about India!” the Prime Minister wrote.
In another post, PM Modi said the discussions focused on leveraging AI for inclusive growth and innovation. “Had a very productive discussion with Satya Nadella. Happy to see India being the place where Microsoft will make its largest-ever investment in Asia. The youth of India will harness this opportunity to innovate and leverage the power of AI for a better planet,” he said.
India Emerges as a Global Tech Investment Hub
The series of meetings on December 9 reflect growing global confidence in India’s digital economy, policy reforms and talent base. Commitments from companies such as Cognizant, Intel and Microsoft highlight India’s strategic role in the future of artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing and next-generation digital infrastructure—sectors central to the country’s long-term economic and technological ambitions.
