nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in Asia, OpenAI is investing in India, but experts have mixed reactions. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include Pakistan’s withdrawal from the Asia Cup 2025, a growing stray–dog problem in India, and Japan’s new law to combat rising bear attacks.
OpenAI is expected to open a new office in New Delhi, India, by the end of this year. The company is also in discussions to build a new data center in Jamnagar. The creation of the data center is part of OpenAI’s second phase of the $500 billion Stargate Project, intended to “secure American leadership in AI” by opening facilities in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The facility would be one of the largest data centers in India with at least a gigawatt of capacity. The new data center will store and process data from people living in India, which OpenAI claims will improve its services in the country, the second–largest market for ChatGPT.
In late August, OpenAI also launched the OpenAI Learning Accelerator, aiming to increase AI accessibility in India. With this program, OpenAI hopes to empower educators to use generative AI more productively to supplement learnings. Presently, in Indian education systems generative AI is much more likely to be used by students, with India having the largest number of students using ChatGPT of any country. The Learning Accelerator’s multi–step plan includes a $500,000 collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to conduct long–term studies on the use of generative AI in education. Similarly, OpenAI will distribute half a million ChatGPT licenses to educators and students of all ages and grade levels across India, and will collaborate with Indian companies to develop training programs.
Experts’ reactions to OpenAI’s interest in India are mixed. Many Indian officials encouraged OpenAI to invest in India, highlighting the potential revenue such a move could bring, and pointing out how companies like Microsoft and Google already have established data centers in the country. India’s electronic and information technology minister welcomed the partnership, believing OpenAI’s work aligns with the IndiaAI mission to make AI accessible to all citizens, while ensuring AI remains inclusive and trustworthy. However, many Indian digital sovereignty advocates are sceptical about the reasons behind OpenAI’s investments. The India Blockchain Alliance, for instance, believes OpenAI only wants to invest in India to gain access to India’s large amount of data. Critics also argue that the reliance on global companies like OpenAI hinders Indian entrepreneurs, who already face stricter regulations than their global counterparts.
Notably, OpenAI’s investments in India come as the country finalizes its Digital India Act.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from Asia:
- Pakistan’s hockey team will not compete at the Asia Cup 2025, this year hosted in India, over “security concerns.”
- India is dealing with an increase in stray dog bite incidents, and the government is going back and forth with animal rights advocates to find a solution.
- A new law in Japan allows Morioka municipalities to use guns in residential areas for “emergency hunting” amid rising bear attack
a global affairs media network
OpenAI invests in India
Photo by Subhashis Das on Unsplash
September 12, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in Asia: OpenAI’s big investment in India is a possible economic boon, but critics worry about how Indians’ data will be used.
U
nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in Asia, OpenAI is investing in India, but experts have mixed reactions. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include Pakistan’s withdrawal from the Asia Cup 2025, a growing stray–dog problem in India, and Japan’s new law to combat rising bear attacks.
OpenAI is expected to open a new office in New Delhi, India, by the end of this year. The company is also in discussions to build a new data center in Jamnagar. The creation of the data center is part of OpenAI’s second phase of the $500 billion Stargate Project, intended to “secure American leadership in AI” by opening facilities in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The facility would be one of the largest data centers in India with at least a gigawatt of capacity. The new data center will store and process data from people living in India, which OpenAI claims will improve its services in the country, the second–largest market for ChatGPT.
In late August, OpenAI also launched the OpenAI Learning Accelerator, aiming to increase AI accessibility in India. With this program, OpenAI hopes to empower educators to use generative AI more productively to supplement learnings. Presently, in Indian education systems generative AI is much more likely to be used by students, with India having the largest number of students using ChatGPT of any country. The Learning Accelerator’s multi–step plan includes a $500,000 collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to conduct long–term studies on the use of generative AI in education. Similarly, OpenAI will distribute half a million ChatGPT licenses to educators and students of all ages and grade levels across India, and will collaborate with Indian companies to develop training programs.
Experts’ reactions to OpenAI’s interest in India are mixed. Many Indian officials encouraged OpenAI to invest in India, highlighting the potential revenue such a move could bring, and pointing out how companies like Microsoft and Google already have established data centers in the country. India’s electronic and information technology minister welcomed the partnership, believing OpenAI’s work aligns with the IndiaAI mission to make AI accessible to all citizens, while ensuring AI remains inclusive and trustworthy. However, many Indian digital sovereignty advocates are sceptical about the reasons behind OpenAI’s investments. The India Blockchain Alliance, for instance, believes OpenAI only wants to invest in India to gain access to India’s large amount of data. Critics also argue that the reliance on global companies like OpenAI hinders Indian entrepreneurs, who already face stricter regulations than their global counterparts.
Notably, OpenAI’s investments in India come as the country finalizes its Digital India Act.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from Asia:
- Pakistan’s hockey team will not compete at the Asia Cup 2025, this year hosted in India, over “security concerns.”
- India is dealing with an increase in stray dog bite incidents, and the government is going back and forth with animal rights advocates to find a solution.
- A new law in Japan allows Morioka municipalities to use guns in residential areas for “emergency hunting” amid rising bear attack
