Meta and Reliance Industries strike AI data center deal to scale India's infrastructure backbone

Meta agrees Indian AI data center deal as hyperscaler bolsters its infrastructure

Meta Platforms said on Wednesday it will lease an artificial intelligence-enabled data center in India with 168 megawatts of capacity from billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries. Reliance Industries, whose broad conglomerate empire includes everything from petrochemicals to textiles and mass media, will build the data center for Meta and deliver the facility within two years, with an option to scale, the U.S. company said in a release. "This world-class facility in Jamnagar will help us scale our AI infrastructure globally while deepening our long-term investment in India's economy," said Mark Zuckerberg, founder and chief executive of Meta. Reliance's partnership with Meta goes back to 2020, when Zuckerberg's company invested $5.7 billion in Ambani's telecom and digital services business, Jio Platforms. Last year, the two companies extended their collaboration via a joint venture that made Meta's open-source AI models available for Indian enterprises and developers. Ambani, chairman of Reliance, described the latest investment by Meta as a "transformative moment for India's digital infrastructure." Global hyperscalers have been lining up to invest in data centers in India, with $400 billion flowing into the country's AI ecosystem over the last year, the majority of which has been directed towards such facilities and necessary energy infrastructure. "India's DC [data center] industry is emerging as one of the fastest-growing globally," global brokerage Nomura said in a report on June 2. It added that India's data center capacity is expected to rise to 7 GW by 2030 as it remains "cost-efficient" relative to other developed Asia Pacific and Western markets. Earlier this year, the Indian government announced a 20-year tax exemption for hyperscalers that use data centers in the country to service global clients. Meta is also partnering with Indian clean energy providers CleanMax and Fourth Partner Energy for nearly 1GW of renewable energy. These projects, spread across northern and southern Indian states, will supply clean energy to Meta's growing infrastructure in the country. The Facebook owner said these investments were consistent with its global goal of "matching all operations with 100% clean and renewable energy."

Meta strikes its first India data-centre deal with Reliance

Reliance will build and run the Jamnagar site on renewable power and desalinated seawater. Meta is the latest hyperscaler sending AI compute to India. Meta has agreed to lease a 168-megawatt, AI-ready data centre in India from Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, its first such facility in the country. Reliance will build the site in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and Meta will lease it with an option to scale, the companies said on Tuesday. "This world-class facility in Jamnagar will help us scale our AI infrastructure globally while deepening our long-term investment in India's economy," Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said. Meta frames the site as part of its push toward what it calls "personal superintelligence". The data centre will run on renewable energy and use desalinated seawater for cooling, with Meta covering the full cost of the power and water. Jamnagar, where Reliance is building one of the world's largest data-centre campuses, sits near undersea cable landings and Jio's fibre network. The 168MW is a first phase, with room to grow. Why hyperscalers are heading to India The deal deepens a partnership that began with Meta's $5.7bn investment in Reliance's Jio Platforms in 2020, followed by a joint venture to bring Meta's open-source AI models to Indian businesses. It also lands amid a wider rush: more than $400bn flowed into India's AI ecosystem over the past year, most of it into data centres and the power to run them. Meta runs vast compute in the US, from a $200bn Louisiana campus to a $21bn CoreWeave deal, but India offers cheaper land, available power, and a billion-plus users. The pull is partly a push: US and European grids are straining under AI load, with utilities planning $1.4tn of spending, while India's capacity is booming. To power the buildout cleanly, Meta also contracted nearly 1GW of Indian renewables, 837MW from CleanMax and 88MW from Fourth Partner Energy. The open question is whether that keeps pace. Running a 168MW site, with room to grow, on renewables and desalinated water is the pitch, but India's grid and water systems are under their own strain. Whether Jamnagar stays green as Meta scales it is the test ahead.

Inside Jamnagar: How Meta and Reliance are building India's AI infrastructure backbone

Meta and Reliance Industries are expanding their partnership beyond connectivity to build an AI-enabled data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, marking a major step in India's AI infrastructure journey. The collaboration underscores India's growing role as a global AI hub while placing sustainability and renewable energy at the centre of the next wave of digital growth. Meta Platforms and Reliance Industries are taking their partnership beyond connectivity and commerce, with the two companies joining hands to build an AI-enabled data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, marking one of the biggest infrastructure investments aimed at supporting the next phase of artificial intelligence in India. Under the agreement, Reliance will develop a purpose-built facility with an initial capacity of 168 MW, which Meta will lease with provisions for future expansion. The project represents Meta's first AI-enabled data centre in India and underscores the growing importance of the country in the social media giant's global infrastructure strategy. The latest move marks an evolution of the relationship that began with Meta's $5.7-billion investment in Jio Platforms in 2020. While that partnership focused on expanding digital connectivity and commerce, the new initiative shifts attention to the computing backbone required to power next-generation AI services for one of Meta's largest and fastest-growing user bases. Jamnagar, where Reliance is building one of the world's largest data centre campuses, has emerged as a strategic location owing to access to energy resources and supporting infrastructure. The facility has been designed specifically for high-density AI workloads and will use desalinated seawater for cooling, addressing one of the biggest operational challenges associated with data centres. Sustainability forms a key pillar of the project. Meta has separately contracted nearly 1 GW of renewable energy capacity through partnerships with CleanMax and Fourth Partner Energy, as part of its broader commitment to match operations with 100% clean energy. The investment comes as India seeks to position itself not merely as a large consumer market for AI products, but as a global hub for AI infrastructure. With demand for computing power surging worldwide, the Meta-Reliance alliance signals how India's digital ambitions are increasingly moving from software and services to the foundational infrastructure powering the AI era. Nominate for the most innovative ai product 2026 Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.

Meta and Reliance Industries partner to build AI data centre, enterprise solutions in India

Reliance Industries and Meta Platforms are joining forces. They will create enterprise AI solutions using Meta's Llama models. This venture aims to bring advanced AI to Indian businesses of all sizes. Reliance will hold a majority stake. The partnership will offer customizable AI platforms and ready-made solutions. A new data center will also be built. Meta Platforms and Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) have announced a joint venture to develop and deploy Llama-based enterprise artificial intelligence solutions in India and select international markets, with an initial combined investment of approximately Rs 855 crore (around $100 million). Under the agreement, RIL will hold a 70% stake in the joint venture while Meta will hold the remaining 30%. The JV will offer two core products: an enterprise AI Platform-as-a-Service that allows organisations to customise, deploy, and govern generative AI models for workflows across sales, IT, customer service, and finance; and a suite of pre-configured AI solutions for both cross-functional and sector-specific use cases. Separately, Reliance will build a 168 MW data centre that Meta will lease, with options to scale capacity. The partnership draws on Meta's open-source Llama model stack and Reliance's reach to thousands of enterprises and small and medium businesses across India. The JV will be able to deploy solutions across cloud, on-premises, and its own infrastructure. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, said the partnership would "democratize enterprise-grade AI for every Indian organization -- from ambitious SMBs to blue-chip corporates." Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the JV would put Llama models "into real-world use" and expand Meta's footprint in the enterprise space. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Meta, Reliance Join Hands to Build AI-Powered Data Center in India

As part of the agreement, Reliance will build a data center with 168 MW capacity, which Meta will lease, with options to scale. Meta and Reliance Industries today announced a significant expansion of our strategic partnership with an agreement for an AI-enabled data center in India. Located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, this investment reaffirms Meta's deep commitment to India, bringing infrastructure that powers our products and AI capabilities needed to deliver personal superintelligence to one of our largest and fastest-growing communities globally. As part of the agreement, Reliance will build a data center with 168 MW capacity, which Meta will lease, with options to scale. "We're proud to be working with Reliance to build our first AI-enabled data center in India. This world-class facility in Jamnagar will help us scale our AI infrastructure globally while deepening our long-term investment in India's economy." -Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO, Meta Meta is leasing capacity at a new Reliance data center in Jamnagar, India, powered by renewable energy and cooled with desalinated seawater. Meta will cover the full cost of the energy and water supporting the facility. This investment is a significant milestone in Meta's global infrastructure expansion and deepens our long-standing strategic partnership with Reliance -- one that spans connectivity, commerce, and AI innovation in one of the world's most dynamic digital markets. Jamnagar is a strategic location, and Reliance is developing one of the largest data center campuses in the world there, with access to the significant energy resources needed to power advanced AI-enabled infrastructure. The facility's first phase will deliver 168 MW of capacity, with an option to scale. Paired with our extensive network investments, including Project Waterworth, the world's longest subsea cable system, we will bring industry-leading connectivity to the region and serve India's community with speed and quality. We deepened the collaboration through a joint venture bringing Meta's open-source AI models to Indian enterprises and developers. Today's data center agreement marks the next chapter -- extending our partnership to the physical infrastructure powering Meta's products and AI capabilities in one of the world's largest and fastest-growing digital economies. "This partnership with Meta marks a transformative moment for India's digital infrastructure. Building India's first built-to-suit AI data centre for a global technology leader of Meta's scale demonstrates India's readiness to be at the forefront of the global AI revolution. At Reliance, we are committed to building world-class digital infrastructure that will power the next generation of AI innovation -- not just for India, but for the world." -Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited

Reliance and Meta partner for 168MW hyperscale data center in Gujarat

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Meta Platforms, Inc. have announced a strategic partnership to develop a new, built-to-suit data center project in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The facility will feature an initial capacity of 168 megawatts (MW) to be delivered within two years, with an option for future scaling. This project marks Meta's first built-to-suit data center capacity in India. Under the terms of the agreement, Meta will lease the entirety of the initial 168 MW capacity to support its core business, global infrastructure, and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) compute needs. End-to-End Infrastructure and Strategic Location RIL will operate as a single-window solutions provider for the hyperscale project, managing the entire lifecycle of the data center. This includes: * Initial design and construction. * Ongoing utility management and network connectivity. * Provision of renewable power supply. * Fully managed operational services. The choice of Jamnagar, Gujarat, provides distinct operational advantages for large-scale infrastructure. The location offers robust delivery capabilities, reliable water availability, and direct proximity to India's western submarine cable landing stations as well as Reliance Jio's extensive fiber network. To optimize connectivity, the facility will integrate with Meta's broader network investments, including Project Waterworth -- the world's longest subsea cable system -- to ensure high-speed, low-latency data transmission across the region. Sustainability and Resource Management The data center is designed with a focus on environmental sustainability, utilizing a combination of renewable energy and advanced cooling mechanisms. Meta will cover the full operational costs of the energy and water utilized by the facility, aligning with both companies' corporate sustainability frameworks. Expansion of India's Clean Energy Portfolio Coinciding with the data center announcement, Meta disclosed that it has contracted nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of new clean and renewable energy capacity across India to support its growing regional infrastructure and address value chain emissions. These agreements include: * CleanMax: 837 MW of new solar and wind projects located in Rajasthan and Karnataka, bringing Meta's cumulative announced capacity with CleanMax to over 900 MW. * Fourth Partner Energy: 88 MW of new solar and wind projects distributed across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. These agreements support Meta's global objective of matching 100% of its operational energy consumption with renewable sources. Context and Regulatory Alignment This project expands upon a long-standing relationship between the two companies, which began with Meta's $5.7 billion investment in Jio Platforms in 2020 and later included a joint venture to deploy Meta's open-source AI models to Indian developers and enterprises. The development aligns with the Government of India's current policy framework, which designates data centers as strategic national infrastructure to encourage long-term global investment in domestic AI and digital capabilities. Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited, said, This partnership with Meta marks a transformative moment for India's digital infrastructure. Building India's first built-to-suit data centre for a global technology leader of Meta's scale demonstrates India's readiness to be at the forefront of the global AI revolution. At Reliance, we are committed to building world-class digital infrastructure that will power the next generation of AI innovation -- not just for India, but for the world. Jamnagar will become a landmark destination for hyperscale AI computing, and we are proud to partner with Meta to make this vision a reality.

Reliance partners with Meta to build a data center in Gujarat

Read the data center press release from Meta here. Meta and Reliance are building an AI-enabled data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, with a capacity of 168 megawatts. When compared to Google-Adani's 1 Giga Watt AI Data center in Andhra Pradesh, Meta-Reliance's data center is six times smaller. "Meta will cover the full cost of the energy and water supporting the facility," it says. The press release claims that it is "powered by renewable energy and desalinated seawater as a coolant". This is part of Meta's global AI infrastructure expansion, connected to the Project Waterworth subsea cable system. What is Meta's Project Waterworth? It is Meta's subsea cable project spanning 50,000+ km across five continents (U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and others). It uses 24 fiber cables and is deployed at depths up to 7,000 meters, designed to carry intercontinental digital traffic and support global AI infrastructure. Read more about it here. Meta will lease to Reliance. But what exactly? "As part of the agreement, Reliance will build a data center with 168 MW capacity, which Meta will lease, with options to scale," reads the announcement. However, the press release doesn't explain what Meta is leasing exactly, how much of it and for how long. "Reliance Intelligence is not looking to do its own LLMs at this point in time," clarified Anshuman Thakur, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Planning at Reliance Jio. In September 2025, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) incorporated a new wholly owned subsidiary, Reliance Intelligence Limited, as part of its plans to expand into artificial intelligence (AI) and deep technology. RIL then announced its partnerships with Google and Meta. Google's AI data center in Andhra Pradesh (under construction): Google plans a 1-GW hyperscale AI data center across 601.4 acres in three Andhra Pradesh locations, partnering with AdaniConneX and Airtel. The $15 billion investment (2026-2030) will support businesses, developers, and researchers while establishing a subsea gateway complementing existing Mumbai and Chennai landings. Explore the various data centers in India and their current status on Environmental Reporting Collective's (ERC) Dirty Data website: [Link] Explore recent censorship on Meta; content related to Google-Adani's AI data center in Andhra here: [ ERC | HRC ] Reliance to invest 96 times more in AI than the Indian government. At India AI Impact Summit (2026), Mukesh Ambani announced that Reliance will invest Rs. 10 trillion in AI. This is over 96 times more than the central government's IndiaAI mission's budget, which is just Rs. 10,372 crores. Watch Ambani's full speech on YouTube. Important read: In a Rajya Sabha reply on the IndiaAI Mission's progress, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) disclosed that only Rs 400 crore of the overall Rs 10,000 crore was utilised. The breakdown is:

Meta to partner with India's Reliance for AI data center By Investing.com

Investing.com-- Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) on Wednesday announced an agreement with Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd (NSE:RELI) to build and lease an artificial intelligence data center in the country. Reliance will build a 168 megawatt facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which Meta will lease. The two will also consider options to increase capacity at the site, Meta said in a statement. Get more breaking news on top AI stocks by subscribing to InvestingPro The facility will be powered by renewable energy. The deal builds on a $100 million joint venture between Meta and Reliance announced earlier this year, under which the two said they will use open-source Llama AI models to develop enterprise AI products for Indian businesses. Meta's deal comes as Wall Street's biggest tech firms race to build out more AI computing capacity and grab a greater slice of the fast-growing industry. Meta has committed to spend between $125 billion and $145 billion in 2026 to fund its AI buildout.

Reliance Industries Limited Expands Operations with Ai-Enabled Data Centre in Jamnagar Gujarat

Reliance Industries Limited announced a partnership with Meta Platforms, Inc. for a data centre project in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Reliance Industries Limited will develop a data center with 168 MW capacity to be delivered within two years, with an option to scale. This is the first built-to-suit data centre capacity in India for Meta and represents a significant milestone in India?s emergence as a global hub for AI infrastructure. Meta will lease capacity from the facility. The data center will serve Meta?s global infrastructure, supporting its core business and AI compute needs. Under the agreement, Reliance Industries Limited will provide comprehensive end-to-end services spanning the entire lifecycle of the data centre ? from design and construction to the ongoing management of utilities, renewable power supply, network connectivity, and fully managed operational services. The strategic location in Gujarat offers significant advantages for large-scale data centre operations, including delivery capability, renewable energy, water availability, proximity to India?s western submarine cable landing stations and Jio?s extensive fibre network. The data center will be powered by renewable energy and cooled with desalinated seawater. This partnership is aligned with the Government of India's priorities which designate data centres as strategic national infrastructure and introduces a long-term policy framework to attract global AI infrastructure investment into India.