A new wave of competition has emerged in India’s southern tech corridor after Google announced a $15 billion investment to build a one-gigawatt AI hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh — its largest such facility outside the United States. The announcement, made at the Bharat AI Shakti event in New Delhi, has not only positioned Andhra Pradesh as a rising technology destination but also triggered a sharp exchange between two of India’s leading IT states.
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Lokesh Nara took a lighthearted but pointed swipe at neighbouring Karnataka following the announcement. Posting on X, he quipped, “They say Andhra food is spicy. Seems some of our investments are too. Some neighbours are already feeling the burn,” hinting at Andhra’s growing ability to attract global tech giants traditionally drawn to Bengaluru. The remark quickly went viral, symbolizing the shifting dynamics in India’s digital and AI landscape.
Responding to the jab, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar defended Bengaluru’s long-standing dominance in the technology sector. He asserted, “There is no match for Bengaluru in terms of infrastructure, human resources and innovation. Some people take the name of Bengaluru as they need it to market themselves.” Emphasizing the city’s global reputation, he pointed out that Bengaluru hosts nearly 25 lakh IT professionals and around 2 lakh foreign workers, making it the backbone of India’s tech ecosystem.
Addressing Google’s move, Shivakumar acknowledged the company’s right to explore new locations, remarking, “How can we stop them from going to Andhra Pradesh. They are going there because they are offering many concessions. Let them experience other places too.”
The establishment of Google’s massive AI hub in Visakhapatnam underscores Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to emerge as a key player in India’s digital economy. The project is expected to drive large-scale employment, attract auxiliary investments, and enhance India’s positioning in the global AI value chain.
As Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka vie for supremacy in the next phase of India’s technology revolution, Google’s investment has set the stage for an AI-powered rivalry that could redefine the innovation landscape of southern India.
