Data localisation is a good idea in a limited way, says Jason Oxman

• Data localisation shouldn't hinder business growth, says ITIC CEO
• Tech giants heavily investing in India's AI and data sectors
• India focuses on AI skills, aiming to be a bigger tech hub

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Data localisation is a good idea, but in a limited way, Jason Oxman chief executive officer of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITIC) told Moneycontrol. He added that the policy should not hurt businesses who want to grow.

Oxman said that Indian companies have accepted that they want access to data of the rest of the world. "This answer came in the India-US trade deal," he said in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of India AI Impact Summit.

On the AI related opportunities, Oxman said that India being the world’s largest democracy, and having more than 1.4 billion people where innovation is free to flourish – is the most exciting aspects for the technology industry, who are looking to invest in the country.

"Companies like Google are investing over $10 billion for their data centre project – the biggest outside US. And global technology companies are making investments through partnership with Indian companies," Oxman said on the sidelines of India AI Impact Summit 2026.

He added that "there is so much excitement for those partnerships, and opportunities (in India)" among major technology and AI companies of the world.

Watch the full interview here.

Oxman highlighted that the theme of last AI summit was "action", for the current one is "impact" – which shows the change in dynamics, and moves all of us forward well.

On skilling, the ITIC CEO said that the government is making all efforts to ensure Indians are ready for AI. He said that the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is focussed on re-skilling and up-skilling Indians to make them AI savvy.

"India was already the hub of IT workers before AI, now it will be a bigger hub," said Oxman.

Dominance of big-tech

Responding to a query on the dominance of big tech and ensuring data is not misused, Oxman said that today there is a lot of competition among companies.

There are many companies – which are building all parts of the AI stack, from infrastructure to Large Language Models. "If customers don’t feel secure, they have a lot of other choices to switch to."

"Tech sovereignty is an important concept," said the ITIC CEO.

"The government has sent a very powerful message at the Summit -- that the world is welcome to India."

"Global tech industry views Government of India as a partner for making right policies for the sector. AI is used across all sectors in India, from agriculture to financial services, and all that has been made possible through global partnership," said Oxman.

Data localisation

On the issue of data localisation, Oxman said that Indian companies want access to data of the rest of the world, and "the answer to that came in the India-US trade deal."

According to a US statement, dated February 9, India has "committed to negotiate a robust set of bilateral digital trade rules that address discriminatory or burdensome practices and other barriers to digital trade."

Oxman said data localisation is a good idea in a limited way. For instance, the government data should stay localised, but this concept should not be applicable on businesses who want to grow.

"If data localisation policy denies businesses access to data that they need for success, then it’s not a good idea," he added.