Sam Altman eyes India for OpenAI’s 1GW data center, biggest in Asia yet

New Delhi: OpenAI is looking to build one of India’s largest data centers, a move that signals how seriously the ChatGPT-maker views its second-largest market by users. The facility, which could have at least 1-gigawatt capacity, is being positioned as part of the company’s global Stargate infrastructure rollout.

According to a Bloomberg report, OpenAI is scouting local partners to establish the industrial-scale unit in India. While the exact location and timeline remain uncertain, people familiar with the matter said CEO Sam Altman may announce the project during his visit to the country this month.

The planned data center would rival some of the biggest in India, where companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Reliance are also investing heavily. If completed, the site would become a critical base for building and running large-scale AI models in the region.

The India project comes as part of OpenAI’s broader $500 billion Stargate plan, developed in partnership with Oracle and SoftBank, to deploy 4.5 gigawatts of capacity in the United States. President Donald Trump publicly praised the initiative earlier this year, calling it unprecedented.

Beyond the US, OpenAI has already announced two major anchor projects: a 520-megawatt facility in Norway and a 5-gigawatt build in Abu Dhabi, where OpenAI will use 1 gigawatt of computing power.

If the India data center moves forward, it could change how OpenAI serves millions of local users. A domestic facility would ease concerns over sensitive data being transferred overseas and would support the government’s IndiaAI Mission, a $1.2 billion plan aimed at creating home-grown large and small language models.

The facility would also allow OpenAI to provide more customized services, including AI chatbots designed for local languages and use cases. It aligns with the company’s recent expansion drive in the country, where it has launched a ₹435 ($5) monthly subscription plan, opened an office in New Delhi, and started hiring aggressively.

The timing of this push is notable. India’s relationship with the US has been strained by trade tensions, particularly after President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods over trade barriers and Russian oil imports. By committing to a large-scale data investment, OpenAI is signaling both economic intent and a willingness to align with India’s digital sovereignty agenda.

The company has been clear about positioning itself as a player in global AI infrastructure with democratic values. Its initiative, OpenAI for Countries, is designed to counter China’s influence in AI by fostering trusted partnerships with nations that want AI infrastructure but lack resources. So far, more than 30 countries have expressed interest, with India standing out as a key market.