Key Takeaways
- Ashwini Vaishnaw proposes developing Andaman Islands as global internet data hub
- Google announces $15 billion AI investment in Andhra Pradesh with Visakhapatnam data center
- Submarine cable extension planned from Andaman to Myanmar and Northeast India
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a major global internet data transfer hub. The proposal leverages the islands’ strategic location to serve Southeast Asia, Australia, and other regions seeking new internet capacity.
Strategic Vision for Andaman Data Hub
Speaking at the Bharat AI Shakti event, Vaishnaw challenged industry leaders: “Why can’t we make Andaman the next big hub for global Internet data transfer? Andaman can actually help Google and every other Internet-based organization to reach Southeast Asia, Australia, and a large part of the world.”
Enhanced Connectivity for Northeast
The minister outlined plans to extend submarine cables from Andaman to Myanmar and onward to India’s northeastern states. He specifically called for establishing a Vizag-to-Sittwe link to bring connectivity northward.
“The current connectivity via railway networks requires significant augmentation,” Vaishnaw emphasized. “If we can go via Myanmar to Mizoram… we can take the cable up to the northeastern states, which require much better connectivity.”
Infrastructure development is already underway, with a railway line reaching Sairang in Mizoram and planned extension to the Myanmar border. A highway from Sittwe is also under construction.
Google’s Parallel AI Investment
Coinciding with Vaishnaw’s announcement, Google revealed its largest-ever investment in India – $15 billion for an AI hub in Andhra Pradesh. The project includes:
- A gigawatt-scale data center in Visakhapatnam
- Partnership with Adani Group for infrastructure development
- Collaboration with Bharti Airtel for cable landing station
Airtel will establish a state-of-the-art Cable Landing Station in Visakhapatnam to host Google’s international subsea cables. The telecom provider will also manage high-capacity fiber networks optimized for demanding AI workloads.
