Australia-based data center giant AirTrunk is preparing to enter the Indian market, marking a significant milestone in its Asia expansion strategy as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms digital infrastructure needs worldwide. Founder and CEO Robin Khuda said construction plans for India are already “pretty advanced,” signalling the company’s confidence in the country’s fast-growing data economy.
Khuda believes India’s vast population of 1.5 billion, coupled with its highly digital and youthful demographic, makes it one of the most compelling destinations for data infrastructure investment. “India’s digital ecosystem is expanding at a pace that demands robust, scalable infrastructure,” he said, speaking at a Forbes conference in Sydney. “This is the single-biggest gold rush in human history,” he added, referring to the global wave of AI-driven investments.
The expansion comes at a time when investors are pouring billions into AI and cloud infrastructure across the region. AirTrunk, which operates large-scale hyperscale data centers, was acquired last year by global investment firm Blackstone Inc. in a deal valued at A$24 billion ($16 billion). The acquisition was one of the largest digital infrastructure transactions in the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring Blackstone’s growing focus on the sector.
To support its regional expansion, AirTrunk completed a record A$16 billion refinancing in August, earmarked for new data center projects and operational upgrades in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. The company now aims to use India as the next major hub in its network, tapping into demand from cloud providers, AI developers, and enterprises undergoing rapid digital transformation.
Asia’s data center market is witnessing an unprecedented surge, fuelled by the explosion of generative AI, streaming platforms, e-commerce, and cloud-based services. According to Khuda, this demand is large enough to support multiple major players rather than a single market leader. “It’s not like there’s only one winner who will take home everything,” he said, hinting at the scale and diversity of opportunities across the region.
Industry analysts estimate that hundreds of billions of dollars in capital will be required globally over the next decade to meet AI-related computing and storage needs. Data centers, often described as the backbone of the digital economy, are now expanding in both capacity and complexity, as operators adapt to rising power consumption and sustainability challenges.
Despite the optimism, Blackstone’s Chairman and CEO, Stephen Schwarzman, recently pointed out a key concern for the sector: the enormous electricity demands of AI-driven data centers. As processing loads multiply, the availability of reliable and affordable power could become a critical constraint on growth. “Electricity is becoming the new currency of data,” an industry expert noted, reflecting how energy supply will shape the next wave of digital expansion.
For India, AirTrunk’s planned entry represents a vote of confidence in the country’s digital potential. The Indian government’s emphasis on data localization, AI adoption, and renewable energy integration has made it an increasingly attractive destination for hyperscale operators. With strong policy support and a rapidly maturing cloud ecosystem, the timing aligns with the broader momentum in India’s tech infrastructure sector.
Blackstone, AirTrunk’s parent investor, already has a deep presence in India, managing more than $50 billion in assets since entering the market. Nearly 40% of its investments are concentrated in Maharashtra, making the state a major hub for its real estate and infrastructure ventures. The firm has also invested over $20 billion in India’s property sector across key cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, the National Capital Region, Chennai, and Kolkata.
As AirTrunk prepares to bring its large-scale data center expertise to India, it joins a growing roster of global and domestic players betting on the country’s digital future. With AI reshaping industries and economies alike, India’s next data infrastructure wave may well define how the world’s largest democracy powers its connected future.
