India is positioning itself for a major artificial intelligence expansion, with Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw stating that the country could attract over $200 billion in AI and data centre investments within the next two years.
Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, he also outlined plans for an "AI ka UPI" platform and a Create in India Mission aimed at strengthening the country’s AI and creative economy.
TL;DR
- India could attract over $200 billion in AI and data centre investments in two years
- Government plans to launch "AI ka UPI" platform for trusted AI tools
- Create in India Mission to boost Orange Economy and creator ecosystem
- Multinational tech firms must comply with Indian legal and cultural frameworks
Summit Opens On High Participation Note
At Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Day 2 of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 began with strong participation from students, startups, policymakers, and global technology executives.
Engaging with young entrepreneurs and attendees, Vaishnaw asked participants about their experience at the event. Many described the atmosphere as energetic, prompting the minister to summarize the mood in three words: "Vibes are good."
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Although the first day experienced heavy attendance and logistical challenges, the government acknowledged the overwhelming response and indicated that steps were being taken to ensure a smoother experience going forward.
$200 Billion AI And Data Centre Investment Push
In his keynote address, Vaishnaw projected that India could see over $200 billion in investments across the five layers of the AI stack within the next two years. He emphasized that achieving this target would depend on strong infrastructure, supportive policy frameworks, and active industry participation.
He further indicated that data centre investments alone could approach $200 billion as India strengthens its position as a global AI hub. According to the minister, India is increasingly being viewed as a credible AI collaborator for countries in the Global South, offering open, affordable, and development-oriented technology solutions.
‘AI Ka UPI’ To Democratize Artificial Intelligence
A key announcement at the summit was the government’s plan to develop "AI ka UPI," a portfolio of trusted AI solutions designed to function through a unified and scalable platform modelled conceptually on India’s digital public infrastructure approach.
The platform is intended to provide developers and innovators with access to reliable AI tools and scalable systems. Vaishnaw noted that wider diffusion and adoption of AI across sectors would be critical to enhancing productivity. The government is working to ensure that AI systems are accessible and dependable for startups, enterprises, and public services.
Create In India Mission To Boost Orange Economy
Vaishnaw also announced plans to launch a Create in India Mission to support the country’s Orange Economy. He described the initiative as industry-driven and employment-oriented, with a long-term vision to equip India for sustained growth over the next 25 years.
Citing the rapid expansion of India’s creator economy, he stated that digital public infrastructure combined with AI-enabled upskilling is shaping a future-ready workforce. As part of Union Budget 2026 announcements, content creator labs will be established in 15,000 schools with industry support, with the goal of positioning India as a preferred global content destination.
Multinational Firms Must Follow Indian Laws
On regulatory matters, Vaishnaw stressed that multinational technology firms operating in India must function within the country’s legal and cultural framework. Referring to global companies such as Netflix and Meta, he indicated that compliance with Indian laws is mandatory for firms operating domestically.
Addressing the absence of NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang at the summit, the minister clarified that Huang was unable to attend due to unavoidable reasons but had deputed a senior executive in his place.
He added that NVIDIA is collaborating with Indian firms on significant AI investments, underscoring continued global interest in India’s AI ecosystem.
Vaishnaw also apologized for the disruptions witnessed on the first day of the summit, describing the response as "phenomenal," and reiterated that the government remains open to feedback as it accelerates its AI ambitions.
