Google CEO Sundar Pichai has revealed that the tech giant will establish its global fintech operation centre in Gujarat and invest $10 billion in India's digitisation fund. This significant announcement came after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, where they discussed Google's commitment to India's digital transformation. Pichai commended the Prime Minister's vision for Digital India, stating that it has become a blueprint that other countries are looking to adopt.
During the meeting, Pichai expressed his honor in meeting PM Modi and shared the news of Google's $10 billion investment in India's digitisation fund. This substantial investment highlights Google's dedication to supporting India's digital growth. Pichai also mentioned that Google will be opening its global fintech operation centre in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar.
Pichai lauded Prime Minister Modi's visionary approach to Digital India, which has now become a model for other nations. He commended the Prime Minister's foresight and stated that the campaign's success has garnered international attention. Digital India has paved the way for the digitisation of services and has positioned India as a global leader in the digital space.
Pichai emphasized Google's continued investment in companies working on artificial intelligence (AI). He mentioned their 100-language initiative, which aims to expand the reach of AI-powered solutions to more Indian languages. This initiative reflects Google's commitment to making technology accessible and inclusive for all Indians.
The meeting between PM Modi and US President Joe Biden at the White House included discussions with top CEOs from both countries. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and other prominent business leaders attended the event. This gathering symbolizes the strong collaboration and partnership between India and the US in the technology sector.
In December 2020, Pichai had announced that a portion of the India Digitisation Fund (IDF) would be dedicated to supporting Indian startups. Furthermore, 25% of the $300 million from the fund would be invested in women-led entities. This commitment demonstrates Google's efforts to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in India.