Jamnagar: US technology giant Meta has partnered with Reliance Industries to establish its first artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled data centre in India, marking a significant step in its infrastructure expansion in one of its largest global markets.
Under the agreement, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries will develop a 168 MW data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which Meta will lease. The facility is expected to support the growing demand for AI computing, cloud services and large-scale data processing. The companies have also included provisions for future expansion, indicating long-term plans for scaling operations.
The move comes amid a global race among technology companies to strengthen AI infrastructure as demand for advanced computing capabilities continues to rise.
Meta and Reliance deepen AI collaboration
The latest development builds on an expanding partnership between Meta and Reliance, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. In August 2025, both companies had entered into a joint venture aimed at developing AI platforms and enterprise solutions in India using Meta’s Llama AI models.
The collaboration combined Meta’s expertise in AI technologies with Reliance’s strong digital ecosystem and infrastructure capabilities. The objective was to create scalable AI tools tailored to Indian businesses across sectors.
With the new data centre initiative, the partnership has now moved beyond software and platforms into physical infrastructure, reflecting a deeper integration of their capabilities.
Long-standing partnership gains momentum
Meta and Reliance have maintained a strong relationship over the past several years. In 2020, Meta invested $5.7 billion (approximately ₹47,000 crore) in Jio Platforms, the digital services arm of Reliance Industries. This investment was among the largest foreign investments in India’s technology sector and marked a turning point in the collaboration between the two companies.
Since then, the partnership has expanded steadily, covering digital services, connectivity, AI development and now data infrastructure. The latest data centre project represents a natural progression of this relationship, aligning with both companies’ strategic focus on digital and AI-driven growth.
India emerges as key AI infrastructure hub
India’s rapidly growing digital economy and massive user base have made it an attractive destination for global technology investments. The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data-driven services is driving demand for high-capacity data centres across the country.
According to industry estimates by IMARC Group, India’s data centre market is expected to nearly double and reach $13.11 billion (over ₹1.09 lakh crore) by 2034. Factors such as rising internet penetration, expansion of digital services and the growth of AI workloads are contributing to this surge.
The Jamnagar facility is expected to play a crucial role in supporting Meta’s AI operations in India, particularly as the company continues to invest in AI models, applications and infrastructure globally.
Strategic importance of the Jamnagar facility
The choice of Jamnagar as the location for the data centre is significant, given Reliance’s existing infrastructure presence in the region. The facility is likely to benefit from established energy, connectivity and logistics support, enabling efficient operations at scale.
For Meta, leasing rather than owning the data centre allows for flexibility while ensuring access to reliable infrastructure. For Reliance, the project strengthens its position in the rapidly growing data centre and AI ecosystem, opening new avenues for growth.
The partnership also reflects a broader trend of global technology firms collaborating with local players to accelerate infrastructure development in emerging markets.
Conclusion
The Meta-Reliance partnership to build an AI-enabled data centre in Jamnagar marks a major milestone in India’s evolving digital infrastructure landscape. As demand for AI and data processing continues to grow, such collaborations are expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of technology in the country. With strong backing from two industry giants, the project is poised to contribute significantly to India’s ambitions of becoming a global hub for AI and digital innovation.
