Despite Tariff Tensions, India Remains Key Growth Market for Google, Says Country Head Preeti Lobana

In the backdrop of rising trade and tariff tensions between the United States and India, global tech giant Google has reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian market, calling the country a “critical growth area” with strategic importance for its global roadmap. Speaking to Moneycontrol, Google’s India Country Manager and Vice President Preeti Lobana highlighted India’s role as a vital component in Google’s long-term plans, underlining significant new investments and initiatives.

India: A Critical Growth Area

Despite uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump, Google remains undeterred in its focus on India. Preeti Lobana emphasized that India holds strategic significance for the tech giant, describing the country as a major growth area.

“India is deeply critical for us,” she said. “We remain committed to doing good for India on systemic challenges.” When asked whether trade and tariff tensions could affect Google’s plans in India, Lobana acknowledged external pressures but stressed continuity in strategy:

“Stuff will happen around. We are deeply committed.”

Her comments signal Google’s confidence in India’s market potential, despite external geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

Major Investments in India

Google is actively expanding its footprint in India through large-scale investments across multiple domains, including data infrastructure, office spaces, and engineering capabilities.

$15 Billion Data Centre in Visakhapatnam

One of the most significant announcements came with a $15 billion investment in a gigawatt-scale data centre in Visakhapatnam, marking Google’s largest data centre outside the United States. The facility will feature advanced undersea cable connectivity and renewable energy integration, reinforcing Google’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure while supporting the growing digital ecosystem in India.

Bengaluru Office Expansion

In addition to the data centre, Google recently commissioned its largest office in India at Ananta, Bengaluru. According to Lobana, this new facility reflects Google’s intent to strengthen its operational base in India and accommodate a rapidly growing workforce.

First Google Safety Engineering Centre in Asia

Google is also emphasising privacy and security. The company opened its first-ever Google Safety Engineering Centre in Asia in Hyderabad. The centre is designed to focus on user privacy and safety, highlighting Google’s strategic intent to advance security engineering capabilities in the region.

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Strategic Importance Amid Systemic Challenges

Lobana highlighted that India’s market is central to Google’s global strategy not only for growth but also for addressing systemic challenges within the country’s digital ecosystem.

“We continue to invest. Some things happen around the ecosystem, but we continue to be on our path to be with India and proceed and grow,” she said.

Her statement reinforces Google’s long-term perspective on India, signaling resilience against trade uncertainties and a focus on sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways

• India is a major growth area for Google, critical to the company’s global roadmap.

• The company remains committed despite US-India tariff tensions.

• Google is making massive investments, including:

  • $15 billion Visakhapatnam data centre (largest outside US)

  • Largest office in India at Bengaluru

  • Google Safety Engineering Centre in Hyderabad (first in Asia)

• These initiatives reinforce Google’s strategy to invest in infrastructure, privacy, and talent development.

• Commitment extends beyond short-term challenges to a long-term India growth plan.

Future Outlook

Google’s announcements underscore India’s strategic importance as a core market for digital infrastructure and innovation. The Visakhapatnam data centre, combined with the Bengaluru office and Hyderabad engineering centre, positions Google to leverage India’s talent pool, increasing demand for cloud services and digital solutions.

Despite tariff tensions, the company is clearly signalling that it views India as a critical investment destination. The sustained focus on infrastructure, coupled with safety and privacy engineering, aligns with Google’s broader global ambitions while supporting India’s digital economy growth.

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