India set to get its first AI data centre; Reliance-Meta tie-up sends stocks soaring

Reliance stock soars after landmark Meta deal. Photo: ChatGPT

Mumbai/IBNS-CMEDIA: Shares of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) jumped over 2 percent on Wednesday after the company announced a landmark partnership with Meta to develop an AI-enabled data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

RIL’s stock rose 2.39 percent to Rs. 1,300 on the BSE following the announcement.

India’s First AI-Enabled Data Centre

The project will mark the establishment of India’s first AI-enabled data centre and Meta’s first built-to-suit data centre capacity in the country.

Reliance will develop a 168 MW data centre, scheduled for delivery within two years, with provisions for future expansion.

The facility will support Meta’s global infrastructure, including its core business operations and growing AI compute requirements, further strengthening India’s position in the global digital and artificial intelligence ecosystem.

Strategic Partnership Deepens

The agreement represents a major milestone in Meta’s global infrastructure expansion and deepens its long-standing partnership with Reliance, which already spans connectivity, commerce and digital innovation.

Meta will lease capacity from the Jamnagar facility, underscoring its confidence in India’s emerging AI infrastructure capabilities.

Reliance to Provide End-to-End Services

Under the agreement, Reliance will offer comprehensive services across the entire lifecycle of the data centre, including design, construction, utilities management, renewable energy supply, network connectivity and fully managed operational services.

The arrangement positions Reliance as a single-window solutions provider for hyperscale AI infrastructure projects in India.

Why Jamnagar?

According to the company, Jamnagar offers several strategic advantages for large-scale data centre operations, including robust delivery capabilities, access to renewable energy, water availability, proximity to India’s western submarine cable landing stations and connectivity through Jio’s extensive fibre network.

Sustainability at the Core

The data centre will be powered by renewable energy and cooled using desalinated seawater, reflecting the sustainability commitments of both Reliance and Meta.

The project also aligns with the Government of India’s policy focus on data centres as strategic national infrastructure and its efforts to attract global AI infrastructure investments.

Mukesh Ambani on the Partnership

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh D. Ambani described the collaboration as a transformative moment for India’s digital future.

“This partnership with Meta marks a transformative moment for India’s digital infrastructure. Building India’s first built-to-suit 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. Jamnagar will become a landmark destination for hyperscale AI computing, and we are proud to partner with Meta to make this vision a reality,” Ambani said.