Karan Bhatia Calls India “Like Our Second Home” Due to Growing AI Investment and Innovation Strength

New Delhi, July 29, 2025 India has become one of Google’s most critical global markets. Karan Bhatia, Google’s Global Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, made this statement. He highlighted India’s growing role in shaping Google’s AI and tech strategies during a recent interaction.

Bhatia, who formerly served as the Karan Bhatia, who served as the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) from 2005 to 2007, said India is “like a second home” for Google. He pointed to the country’s rapid growth, strong investments, and innovation potential. He also called India a “natural ally” in AI and praised its support for digital transformation and tech regulations.

“India is a hotbed of innovation, with many groundbreaking IT companies yet to emerge,” Bhatia remarked. He added that Google’s strong growth and investments in India clearly support the view that “India is like our second home.”

Google’s increasing presence in India spans multiple domains, including AI research, product development, and infrastructure deployment. Google’s India efforts focus on both global technologies and solving local challenges with region-specific solutions.

In recent years, Google has invested heavily in India. Key areas include digital payments, regional language AI, cloud infrastructure, and education. Its AI center in Bengaluru and skilling programs support a broader strategy to grow the local tech ecosystem.

Bhatia emphasized that the India – U.S. relationship plays a strategic role in tech diplomacy, particularly in AI. He believes the complementary strengths of the two nations can help drive ethical AI development globally. “The U.S. and India are natural partners in the development of AI,” he noted.

This comes as India grows into a global innovation hub, with local startups gaining global traction. The government’s push for digital inclusion, skills, and clear regulations has helped global tech firms like Google expand their presence.

In contrast to mature markets, India presents a dynamic, high-growth opportunity. Bhatia said India’s strong startup scene and talent pool make it a key location for innovation and product testing.

As India and Google strengthen ties, expectations are growing. India is set to play a key role in the next wave of tech progress—especially in AI, language models, and responsible governance.

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