Chandrababu Naidu, Sunil Bharti Mittal discuss Andhra Pradesh digital push
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu's meeting with Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal in Amaravati signals a concerted push to lock in big-tech and telecom investment — from last-mile connectivity to a $15 billion Google AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam that Naidu wants inaugurated by September 2028.
Key Takeaways
Andhra Pradesh CM N.
Chandrababu Naidu met Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal in Amaravati on 28 June .
Discussions covered last-mile internet, mobile tower connectivity, data centres, and an undersea cable landing station.
Airtel Nxtra is a partner in the Google AI Data Centre in Visakhapatnam , backed by a $15 billion investment.
The data centre spans nearly 600 acres with a capacity of 1 Gigawatt , with the foundation stone laid on 28 April .
Naidu has set a target of September 2028 for the project's inauguration.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday, 28 June held talks with Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal at the Chief Minister's official residence in Amaravati, focusing on strengthening the state's digital infrastructure and expanding connectivity for its citizens.
What the Meeting Covered
Naidu, in a post on X, described the meeting as productive. 'We had a productive discussion on strengthening Andhra Pradesh's digital infrastructure and enhancing connectivity for our people. Our conversation focused on expanding last-mile internet and mobile tower connectivity, promoting investments in data centres and an undersea internet cable landing station, and further improving the ease of doing business for mobile service operators in our state,' the Chief Minister said.
The finer details of the discussions remain undisclosed, with an official statement from the state government expected to follow.
The Visakhapatnam AI Data Centre Link
Airtel Nxtra, the data centre subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, is one of the key partners in the Google AI Data Centre being developed in Visakhapatnam. The project, backed by an investment of approximately $15 billion, will feature gigawatt-scale data centre operations powered by clean energy and supported by a subsea cable network.
The facility is being developed across nearly 600 acres with a total capacity of 1 Gigawatt. The foundation stone was laid on 28 April by Chief Minister Naidu alongside Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw. The other project partners include AdaniConneX and Airtel Nxtra.
Naidu's Target: September 2028 Inauguration
Chief Minister Naidu has urged Google and its partners to complete the project in time for inauguration by September 2028. He has also indicated that the government intends to leverage the Google AI Data Centre to enhance what his administration calls the 'Speed of Governance.'
Broader Context: Andhra Pradesh's Digital Ambitions
The meeting with Mittal fits into a wider push by the Naidu-led government to position Andhra Pradesh as a premier destination for digital and technology investment. Expanding last-mile connectivity and attracting data centre investments are central to this strategy, particularly as the state builds out its new capital at Amaravati. Notably, the undersea cable landing station — if realised — would give Andhra Pradesh a strategic edge in India's growing digital infrastructure map.
Point of View
Which, if secured, would give Andhra Pradesh infrastructure leverage that most Indian states lack. The $15 billion Google data centre is already the anchor; pairing it with last-mile connectivity investment and a subsea node would create a vertically integrated digital corridor. Whether the September 2028 inauguration target holds will be the first credibility test of this strategy.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chandrababu Naidu and Sunil Bharti Mittal discuss?
The two leaders discussed strengthening Andhra Pradesh's digital infrastructure, expanding last-mile internet and mobile tower connectivity, investments in data centres, an undersea internet cable landing station, and improving ease of doing business for mobile service operators in the state.
What is the Google AI Data Centre project in Visakhapatnam?
It is a $15 billion project being developed across nearly 600 acres in Visakhapatnam with a total capacity of 1 Gigawatt, featuring clean-energy-powered data centre operations and a subsea cable network. Partners include Google, AdaniConneX, and Airtel Nxtra.
When was the foundation stone of the Google AI Data Centre laid?
The foundation stone was laid on 28 April by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw.
What is the target completion date for the Visakhapatnam data centre?
Chief Minister Naidu has urged Google and its partners to complete the project for inauguration by September 2028.
What role does Airtel Nxtra play in the Visakhapatnam data centre?
Airtel Nxtra, the data centre subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, is one of the key partners in the Google AI Data Centre project in Visakhapatnam, alongside AdaniConneX and Google.
