Google CEO Sundar Pichai Reaffirms Commitment To India’s Digitisation Push

Google CEO Sundar Pichai visited the Embassy of India in the US and spoke with India’s ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. In his discussion with the ambassador, Pichai reiterated Google’s commitment to India and its digitisation push.

In a tweet, Ambassador Sandhu said, “Technology that transforms; ideas that enable! Delighted to receive CEO @Google and Alphabet Sundar Pichai @sundarpichai at the Embassy today. Exchanged thoughts on expanding commercial, knowledge & tech partnership with Google”

Pichai said, “Appreciated the chance to discuss Google’s commitment to India and look forward to continuing our support for India’s digital future.”

During the meeting, Pichai was reportedly very appreciative of the initiatives India is undertaking and highlighted how Google is working with India. During the conversation, Pichai is also said to have discussed multiple ways in which India and Google can take their partnership forward in education.

Sandhu noted that Google is an important partner in India’s digital transformation and the discussions also highlighted the digitisation efforts in India.

Google has made a huge investment in India, expanding its footprint in a large number of sectors in the country. The Silicon Valley-based tech giant has also backed several Indian startups and corporates. Back in July 2020, Pichai announced a $10 Bn fund under the Google for India Digitisation Fund.

The company has invested a significant amount of money into India already. In January this year, Google picked up a 1.28% stake in Bharti Airtel for around $700 Mn, investing around $300 Mn to develop affordable connectivity products and 5G technology. Last year, the tech giant picked up a 7.73% stake in Reliance Jio for $4.5 Bn.

In all, Google has invested 55% of its Digitisation Fund in two of India’s largest telcos. The tech giant also teamed up with Jio to bring the JioPhone Next, one of India’s most affordable 4G-ready smartphones. Google worked on the operating system of the smartphone, developing Pragati OS as a highly-optimised version of Android OS.

Google is also working with the government of India on the Digital India Program and the National Digital Literacy Mission. Earlier this year, Pichai was honoured with Padma Bhushan, along with Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and 15 others.

The tech giant is also exploring partly moving the production of its flagship smartphone Pixel to India when Apple is also shifting its focus to India as a manufacturing hub as the US-China relationship deteriorates.

Pichai is not the only America-based CEO with whom the Indian government has interacted. Earlier this month, Union Minister of Commerce Piyush Goyal launched the Supporting Entrepreneurs in Transformation and Upskilling (SETU) programme to help Indian startups connect with mentors and investors in the US.

On his visit, the union minister also connected with several US-based investors, startup founders, CXOs and people from Silicon Valley to bridge the gap between the US and Indian startup ecosystem.