Meta and Reliance Industries have announced a major expansion of their partnership. Specifically, the two companies reached an agreement to build an AI-enabled data center in India. The facility sits in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and notably, it marks Meta’s first data center in the country. As a result, the move signals a deeper commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets.
Takeaways 🚀
✅Meta expands India AI infrastructure
✅Reliance builds Jamnagar data center
✅Partnership strengthens long-term digital investment
✅Renewable energy supports facility operations
✅India gains major AI hub
What the Agreement Covers
To begin with, the deal gives each company a clear role. On one hand, Reliance will build a data center with 168 MW of capacity. On the other hand, Meta will lease that capacity and can scale up as demand grows. For now, the first phase delivers the initial 168 MW, which in turn gives Meta room to expand over time.
Beyond the infrastructure itself, the data center will support Meta’s products and AI capabilities. In particular, it will help the company serve one of its largest and fastest-growing user communities. After all, India offers an expanding tech-forward economy and a massive user base. Together, these make it a natural place to invest.
Built With Sustainability in Mind
The Jamnagar facility also stands out for how it will run. For instance, renewable energy will power the data center, while desalinated seawater will keep it cool. In addition, Meta will cover the full cost of the energy and water that support the site.
Meanwhile, Reliance is developing one of the largest data center campuses in the world in Jamnagar. As a result, the location offers easy access to the energy resources that advanced AI infrastructure needs.
A Partnership Years in the Making
Importantly, this agreement builds on a relationship that has grown over time. Back in 2020, for example, Meta invested a landmark $5.7 billion in Jio Platforms. That move, in turn, boosted connectivity and helped small businesses grow across India.
Since then, the two companies have worked even closer together. For instance, a joint venture brought Meta’s open-source AI models to Indian businesses and developers. Now, the new data center agreement extends that work into physical infrastructure.
Reflecting on the milestone, Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Meta, spoke about the partnership:
“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.”
Similarly, Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, shared his view as well:
“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.”
Backing Clean Energy Across India
Alongside the data center, Meta also announced new clean energy commitments in India. So far, the company has contracted nearly 1 GW of renewable energy through deals with two providers.
- CleanMax: 837 MW of new solar and wind projects in Rajasthan and Karnataka. This brings the total announced capacity with CleanMax to over 900 MW.
- Fourth Partner Energy: 88 MW of new solar and wind projects across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
Moreover, these deals pair with the renewable power that supports the Jamnagar site. Together, they reflect a broader push to run Meta’s growing infrastructure on clean energy. Ultimately, the effort fits Meta’s global goal of matching all operations with 100% clean and renewable energy.
Connecting It All Together
Finally, the data center fits into a wider network strategy. For example, Meta points to Project Waterworth, the world’s longest subsea cable system, as a key piece of this puzzle. Combined with the new facility, these investments aim to bring faster, higher-quality connectivity to the region.
For India, then, the project is a step toward becoming a hub for advanced AI infrastructure. For Meta, meanwhile, it marks another milestone in its global expansion. In the end, the partnership pairs Meta’s AI ambitions with Reliance’s infrastructure strength, and it sets the stage for the next chapter in their long-running collaboration.
