AirTrunk plans to build 5 GW data center capacity by 2030; PM Modi welcomes the mega investment as a milestone for AI and Cloud growth.
Desk Report | Today TV BD
AirTrunk, one of the largest hyper-scale data center operators in the Asia-Pacific region, has announced a massive $30 billion investment in India’s rapidly expanding digital infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence (AI) sectors. The company was founded by Bangladeshi-origin Australian billionaire Robin Khuda, who also serves as its Chief Executive Officer.
According to the company’s expansion roadmap, AirTrunk aims to develop nearly 5 gigawatts (GW) of data center capacity across various regions in India by 2030. This monumental investment is set to play a pivotal role in catering to the skyrocketing demand for AI, cloud computing, and enterprise digital services in the country.
Announcement Follows High-Level Meeting with Modi
The formal announcement of this investment plan came after a high-level meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior government officials, and Robin Khuda.
Welcoming the initiative in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi stated that such ventures would significantly strengthen India’s AI and cloud computing ecosystems on a global scale. He added that the project would accelerate innovation-led economic growth, generate substantial employment opportunities, and fortify local supply chains.
Mega 3 GW Data Center Hub to Rise in Maharashtra
AirTrunk’s largest project under this initiative will be executed in the state of Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis revealed that a massive 3 GW data center hub will be constructed in Raigad, on the outskirts of Mumbai, at an estimated cost of approximately INR 2 trillion. The company has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for land acquisition to kickstart the project.
Why AirTrunk is Pivoting to India
In an exclusive interview with Forbes Asia, Robin Khuda emphasized that very few global markets offer such a perfect alignment between future demand and the company’s long-term objectives.
“India’s massive population, rapid digital transformation, and ambitious AI roadmap make it one of the most attractive technology markets in the world today.”
— Robin Khuda, Founder & CEO, AirTrunk
He further highlighted that the Indian government has been exceptionally welcoming of foreign direct investment (FDI) and has signaled a strong commitment to long-term collaboration in technological infrastructure development.
Strategic Acquisition of Lumina for Market Expansion
As part of its strategic expansion, AirTrunk acquired Mumbai-based data center developer Lumina CloudInfra in April this year. Lumina is currently developing 600 megawatts (MW) of data center capacity in India with an investment of around $5 billion.
This acquisition is expected to drastically solidify AirTrunk’s footprint and accelerate its deployment capabilities in the Indian market.
Who is Robin Khuda?
Born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Robin Khuda is a celebrated tech entrepreneur and billionaire, widely recognized as one of Australia’s wealthiest individuals. He completed his early schooling at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government Boys’ High School and later attended SOS Hermann Gmeiner College in the capital.
At the age of 18, Khuda moved to Australia for higher education, earning a degree in Accounting from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He later completed his MBA from the Manchester Business School in the United Kingdom.
He began his career working with various telecommunications and technology majors, holding key executive roles at Fujitsu, SingTel Optus, PIPE Networks, and NEXTDC before venturing out on his own.
In 2015, he founded AirTrunk in Sydney. In the initial days, he had to inject his personal retirement savings to keep the business afloat. Within a few years, however, AirTrunk grew exponentially to become a hyper-scale data center powerhouse across the Asia-Pacific.
Today, AirTrunk operates data centers in Australia, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and India. In 2024, a consortium led by Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) acquired a controlling stake in the company in a deal valued at approximately $16 billion. Despite the acquisition, Robin Khuda retains a significant equity stake and continues to lead the company as CEO.
According to the latest data from Forbes, his net worth stands at approximately $2.1 billion. He currently resides in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, two daughters, and parents.
Active in Philanthropy
Beyond his commercial triumphs, Robin Khuda is deeply committed to philanthropic endeavors. In 2020, he and his wife established the “Khuda Family Foundation.” In 2025, he made headlines by donating AUD 100 million to the University of Sydney—marking one of the largest single donations in the institution’s history. The endowment is specifically dedicated to increasing female participation and leadership in engineering and technology fields.
A Major Leap in India’s Global Tech Ambitions
Industry analysts view AirTrunk’s $30 billion commitment as one of the largest foreign direct investments in the history of India’s data center industry. Amid the explosive growth of AI, cloud ecosystems, and the digital economy, this move is set to provide massive momentum to India’s aspirations of becoming a premier global technology hub.
References: Forbes Asia, AirTrunk, The Business Daily.
