India and the US explore ways to accelerate the AI economy through stronger cooperation in data centres, energy infrastructure, digital connectivity, investment and policy frameworks during a roundtable held on the sidelines of UNGA.
India and the United States explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, energy and digital infrastructure during a high-level roundtable held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The discussion focuses on building the infrastructure required to support the rapidly expanding AI economy.
The roundtable, titled “US India Partnership: Powering the AI Economy,” is hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York in collaboration with ReNew and the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF). More than 40 representatives from industry, academia, investment, government and civil society participate in the discussions.
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A key focus is scaling investment in data centres and AI infrastructure across the India-US corridor. Participants examine ways to expand infrastructure capacity while ensuring that the growing energy requirements of AI systems can be met through reliable and resilient power supplies and grid infrastructure.
The discussions also examine mechanisms for mobilising public, private and blended capital for cross-border energy and digital infrastructure projects. Greater alignment of policy, regulatory and technology frameworks is identified as another important requirement for accelerating bilateral cooperation and enabling investment in emerging technologies.
Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Santosh Kumar Sarangi, USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi, World Bank Executive Director Neelkanth Mishra, ReNew Chairman and CEO Sumant Sinha and ReNew Co-founder Vaishali Nigam Sinha participate in the roundtable.
The event also sees the launch of a report titled Powering the AI Age: India’s Next Energy Export Opportunity. The report highlights the growing relationship between energy availability and AI infrastructure, as increasing data-centre capacity creates additional demand for dependable electricity and supporting infrastructure.
The discussions take place as AI becomes a major issue at the UNGA, with international policymakers examining both its economic potential and the challenges associated with its rapid development. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also calls for greater international cooperation to manage AI-driven transformation and ensure wider participation in decisions concerning emerging technologies.
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The latest engagement builds on the broader India-US technology partnership under the TRUST initiative, which includes cooperation in AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, biotechnology, energy and space. The initiative also includes an AI infrastructure roadmap aimed at supporting investment, financing, power and connectivity for large-scale AI infrastructure in India.
The roundtable therefore provides a platform for India and the US to explore practical cooperation linking AI development with energy security, digital infrastructure, investment and regulatory coordination.