The Andhra Pradesh government has decided against publicly disclosing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with tech giant Google for a massive artificial intelligence data centre project. This move comes despite the high-profile announcement of the investment, which is poised to be one of the largest of its kind in the country.
A Major Project Shrouded in Secrecy
In October 2025, Google unveiled ambitious plans to establish India's largest AI data centre in the port city of Visakhapatnam. The project is backed by a staggering $15 billion investment to be deployed over a five-year period from 2026 to 2030. The announcement was met with significant fanfare, highlighting a major win for the state's industrial and technological ambitions.
However, the state administration, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has now formally refused to release the details of the MoU governing this landmark project. The decision raises questions about transparency in large-scale government deals with multinational corporations.
Details of the Withheld Agreement
The specific contents of the MoU, which would outline the commitments, incentives, and obligations of both the Andhra Pradesh government and Google, remain confidential. Key details that are typically included in such agreements involve:
- Land allocation and concessional rates.
- Infrastructure support from the state.
- Power and water supply agreements.
- Tax benefits and other financial incentives.
- Job creation targets and skill development initiatives.
Journalist SNV Sudhir reported on this development on 06 December 2025. The government's stance indicates a preference for keeping commercial terms out of the public domain, possibly citing confidentiality clauses standard in such high-value deals.
Implications for Transparency and Investment
This decision sits at the crossroads of promoting foreign direct investment and upholding public accountability. While large corporations often negotiate confidential terms, public-private partnerships of this scale, involving significant state resources, typically face calls for greater transparency.
Proponents of the secrecy might argue that it protects competitive business information and is essential to attract and secure mega-investments in a competitive federal landscape. Critics, however, may contend that the public has a right to understand the terms of a deal that will impact the state's economy, infrastructure, and environment for decades.
The Visakhapatnam data centre is expected to be a cornerstone of India's growing AI infrastructure, providing critical cloud and computing services. The state's refusal to disclose the MoU details ensures that the full scope of commitments made by both parties will remain a subject of speculation until either party chooses to reveal more.
