Davos 2026: India’s states turn the summit into a deal room; AI hubs, GCCs, clean energy, mega MoUs

Telangana is using its presence at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos to showcase recent policy initiatives in life sciences and artificial intelligence, rather than signing investment memoranda, IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu told Moneycontrol. Read more here.

SAP SE Executive Board member Thomas Saueressig says the company is betting bigger on India, both as a growth market and as a talent engine. Calling India a “phenomenal market” with “amazing talent,” he said SAP is “super committed” to the country and plans to build more campuses to deepen its footprint.

Saueressig also tied SAP’s India push to a wider global shift: companies are being forced to rethink how they run supply chains in a world of tariffs, disruptions, and sudden policy shocks. In that environment, he said, agile business software becomes less of a tech upgrade and more of a resilience strategy—helping firms adapt faster when costs, routes, or regulations change overnight.

On M&A, Saueressig kept it pointed: if SAP talks about acquisitions, the lens will be AI. The message is clear—SAP sees the next phase of enterprise software being shaped by artificial intelligence, and it wants India to be central to that build-out, not peripheral.

Uttar Pradesh signed MoUs worth Rs 9,750 crore at Davos. Investments span waste-to-energy, data centres and defence manufacturing. SAEL Industries committed Rs 8,000 crore for waste-to-energy projects. Sify will invest Rs 1,600 crore in an AI-ready data centre and AI City. The state pitched policy stability and scale.

Vaishnaw said optimised silicon for AI models will define the next phase of competition. Both data centre and edge computing chips will be critical. India is positioning itself across design and manufacturing. Discussions at Davos reflected rising interest in chip–AI integration. The government sees this as a strategic opportunity.

According to Vaishnaw, major AI companies see India as central to the services and solutions layer. India’s talent base and R&D ecosystem are key strengths. The country is not just a back office but an innovation hub. Global executives echoed this view at Davos. This positioning is shaping investment decisions.

Vaishnaw said about $70 billion in investments linked to AI and technology are already underway. Additional commitments could be announced during the summit. He said India’s scale and talent pool attract global AI players. The focus is on applications, services and solutions. Investors see India dominating the application layer.

India could see up to $100 billion in new investment announcements at the upcoming India AI Impact Summit. Vaishnaw said strong interest from global tech companies is already visible. The summit will be held in New Delhi from February 16 to 20. Global leaders including Emmanuel Macron and Bill Gates are expected to attend. AI, chips, infra and energy will dominate discussions.

Tech Mahindra’s large deal pipeline has expanded sharply, rising from $300 million to $1.1 billion in Q3FY26. Joshi said deal momentum reflects improved execution and client confidence. The company has focused on restructuring and operational discipline. Synergies with the Mahindra Group have also played a role. Growth visibility has improved, he said.

Tech Mahindra has executed a sharp turnaround, doubling margins from 6.4 percent to 13.1 percent in under two years. CEO Mohit Joshi said the company has moved from the bottom of the growth table to among the top. Large deal wins have surged significantly. Employee satisfaction is also at a five-year high. The turnaround follows Joshi’s Vision 2027 plan.

The Indian government will publish online gaming rules within the next 15 days, Vaishnaw said. The rules follow extensive consultations with industry, regulators and law enforcement. While the law is already in force, the rules will operationalise it. The sector has awaited clarity amid regulatory uncertainty. The move is expected to stabilise the industry.

Vaishnaw said semiconductor manufacturing in India is moving faster than expected. He noted that commercial production at Micron’s India facility is expected to start by late February. Within four years, India will have operational chip manufacturing capacity. This marks a major shift from being design-only to manufacturing-enabled. Global chipmakers are closely watching India’s progress.

Telangana’s delegation led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said it signed MoUs and held investment talks with global business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos, while also showcasing the state’s “Telangana Rising 2047” vision. The agreements span Global Capability Centres (GCCs), data centres, clean and green energy, manufacturing, and programmes around AI, sustainability and skill development. The state said Revanth Reddy held 12 one-on-one meetings with blue-chip companies and also proposed hosting a WEF follow-up event in Hyderabad, which drew a positive response from participants.

Telangana has been leaning hard into global investor outreach, citing Rs 5.75 lakh crore in investment commitments from its recent Telangana Rising Global Summit and Rs 1.78 lakh crore secured at Davos 2025.

Vaishnaw highlighted India’s telecom progress as a competitive advantage. He said 90 percent of India is covered under 5G, compared with patchy coverage in Europe. The rollout has supported digital services and innovation. Industry leaders at Davos acknowledged India’s scale and execution speed. Telecom is emerging as a foundation for AI and data growth.

Salil Parekh says Infosys is already planning to hire 20,000 college graduates in FY27, signalling confidence in demand even as artificial intelligence reshapes the IT services landscape. Speaking about the company’s strategy, Parekh said Infosys is building and deploying a wide range of AI agents for software development, both on its own platforms and in collaboration with third-party foundation models.

As enterprises experiment with AI at scale, pricing remains in flux. Parekh said the current phase is still evolving, but a more standardised AI pricing model is likely to emerge over the next few quarters and years, as use cases mature and adoption deepens.

Responding to remarks that India is a tier-two AI nation, Vaishnaw said he was merely stating facts. He pointed to India’s rapid progress in telecom, AI and digital infrastructure. India’s scale and adoption speed set it apart from many advanced economies. He argued that perceptions lag reality. Davos conversations reinforced this confidence, he said.

India is exploring the possibility of hosting an “Autumn Davos” as early as 2027. Vaishnaw said discussions are underway with the World Economic Forum. The proposal reflects India’s status as the fastest-growing major economy. While still preliminary, the plan signals India’s ambition to shape global economic conversations. The host city is yet to be decided.

Vaishnaw addressed recent comments by US President Donald Trump praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump had said the two countries would have a “good trade deal.” Vaishnaw said engagement with the US is ongoing and structured. Talks are being led by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and the external affairs and finance ministries. He declined to speculate on timelines.

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said global technology and industry leaders are increasingly bullish on India. Speaking to Moneycontrol at Davos, he said the mood around India was “very positive.” From AI companies to chipmakers, investors see India as central to future expansion plans. Vaishnaw highlighted strong engagement across sectors. He said this confidence reflects India’s digital and manufacturing push.

At Davos, Musk reiterated that Tesla’s biggest growth drivers would be humanoid robots and autonomous driving. This narrative contrasts with the company’s current revenue mix, still dominated by vehicle sales. Musk argued that software and robotics would eventually dwarf car manufacturing. Investors have largely backed the thesis, though execution risks remain high. Regulatory clearances are key to proving the model.

Musk’s Davos comments underline Tesla’s shift toward positioning itself as a self-driving and robotics company. While electric vehicles remain its core business, competition and pricing pressure have dented growth. FSD approvals in large markets like Europe and China could unlock high-margin recurring revenue. Musk has repeatedly said autonomy will define Tesla’s long-term valuation. Regulators, however, remain cautious on safety and liability.

Elon Musk said Tesla is likely to receive regulatory approval for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system in Europe and China as early as next month. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Musk said the approvals would be for “Supervised Full Self-Driving.” The move would mark a major expansion of Tesla’s software monetisation beyond the US. With EV sales slowing globally, Tesla is increasingly betting on software and autonomy revenues. Tesla shares rose about 1.5 percent after Musk’s comments.

Naidu addressed a WEF session on scaling autonomous mobility. He highlighted India’s “enable, deploy and scale” approach. From drone deliveries to future eVTOLs, regulation is evolving rapidly. The focus is on real-world use cases, not pilots. India pitched itself as a testbed for aviation innovation.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu met EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas. Talks covered sustainability, innovation and regulatory coordination. Enhanced cooperation between EASA and DGCA was discussed. Aviation safety amid rapid traffic growth was a priority. Climate resilience featured prominently.

Sanghavi met Cognizant Global CFO Jatin Dalal at Davos. Discussions focused on expanding the TechFin Centre at GIFT City. Workforce readiness and talent scaling were key topics. Gujarat pitched itself as a global delivery base. The meeting signals deeper IT services expansion.

Sanghavi said Gujarat aims to evolve from a traditional manufacturing hub to a technology-enabled services leader. Talks covered digital governance, healthcare technology and skill development. The state highlighted its policy stability and infrastructure. Industry-led innovation was a recurring theme. Officials said investor response has been strong.

Meetings explored AI platforms that manage energy fluctuations and optimise data centre efficiency. These systems are critical for NVIDIA-powered computing environments. Gujarat pitched its readiness for large-scale AI infrastructure. Officials emphasised reliability and sustainability. The focus aligned with global tech priorities.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi met senior leaders from NVIDIA and OpenAI. Discussions centred on AI, advanced computing and data centres. The state positioned itself as a preferred destination for next-gen digital infrastructure. Officials said talks could translate into near-term investments. Gujarat highlighted its skilled talent base.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi met Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi at Davos. Discussions focused on expanding nuclear power alongside renewables. The goal is to meet rising energy demand while accelerating decarbonisation. Grossi publicly praised India’s clean energy push. Nuclear energy featured prominently in global energy debates.

The state government announced plans for a comprehensive circular economy model in Mumbai. The focus is on scientific processing of all waste, along with water and air management. Fadnavis said visible results could emerge within two to three years. The model will later be replicated in other cities. Sustainability was a core Davos talking point.

The Raigad-Pen Growth Centre was unveiled as a future business district. The project has already secured Rs 1 lakh crore in investment commitments. It aims to decongest Mumbai while expanding industrial capacity. Officials said infrastructure development would be prioritised. The region is expected to emerge as a logistics and manufacturing hub.

Maharashtra announced plans to build India’s first Innovation City near Mumbai in partnership with the Tata Group. Detailed planning will be completed within six to eight months. The Tata Group will invest over Rs 1 lakh crore, with additional global investors participating. The project was first discussed at Davos last year. Officials see it as a magnet for high-end R&D and startups.

MoUs were signed with global and Indian giants including Brookfield, ArcelorMittal, Skoda Auto, Volkswagen and Tata Group. Several Indian companies involved operate across more than 165 countries. Investments target quantum computing, AI, data centres and green steel. Urban development and logistics also feature prominently. The state pitched itself as a long-term manufacturing and tech hub.

Fadnavis said 83 percent of Maharashtra’s MoUs involve direct foreign investment. Another 16 percent come through foreign technology partnerships, largely import-substitution focused. Investments are coming from 18 countries across Europe, North America and Asia. The state’s MoU realisation rate stands at 75 percent. Officials said last year’s commitments saw similar execution levels.

Maharashtra emerged as India’s biggest investment magnet at Davos, signing MoUs worth Rs 30 lakh crore. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the investments could generate up to 40 lakh jobs. The agreements span industries, services, agriculture and technology. Most projects are expected to materialise over three to seven years. Officials highlighted a strong MoU conversion track record.

Trump reignited debate by pushing for greater US control over Greenland during Davos. The comments alarmed European leaders and Denmark. However, tensions eased after Trump announced a “framework of a future deal” and stepped back from tariff threats. Greenland’s Prime Minister stressed sovereignty while welcoming peaceful dialogue. Markets reacted calmly after initial jitters.

Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the forum, with both leaders describing the exchange as constructive. Trump reiterated that the Russia–Ukraine war “has to end.” Zelenskyy announced that trilateral talks involving Washington, Moscow and Kyiv are being planned. While no timeline was shared, the meeting raised cautious optimism. The conflict remained a dominant geopolitical theme at Davos.

During his Davos interactions, Trump indicated he remained open to dialogue with Iran. This came alongside stern warnings on regional security and nuclear issues. The signal was interpreted as tactical flexibility rather than a policy shift. Analysts say the statement keeps diplomatic channels open without softening US pressure. Iran-related discussions were closely watched by global markets.

A major portion of Davos discussions centred on Gaza’s future reconstruction. Jared Kushner presented a redevelopment blueprint featuring new housing, seafront hotels and commercial zones under the “New Gaza” label. The proposal frames Gaza as a rebuilt economic corridor following the Israel–Hamas war. Trump warned Hamas to disarm during the next ceasefire phase or face consequences. The plan has drawn both interest and sharp criticism.

Several European powers expressed reservations about joining Trump’s Board of Peace. Officials flagged concerns over governance, Trump’s veto-style authority, and the requirement of a $1 billion fee for permanent membership. The inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the invitation list further complicated matters. While Trump insists the board will work alongside the UN, scepticism remains strong. Diplomats fear fragmentation of global conflict-resolution frameworks.

Trump unveiled a new international body called the Board of Peace at Davos, positioning it as a fresh mechanism to resolve global conflicts. The charter was signed by representatives from 19 countries, with Trump as chairman and final decision-maker. Initially focused on Gaza’s ceasefire and reconstruction, the mandate has since widened significantly. The structure and authority of the board have sparked questions among diplomats. Critics see it as an attempt to bypass existing global institutions.

US President Donald Trump defended his Davos visit as a success while returning to Washington, dismissing critical coverage as “fake news.” Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said the response to his meetings had been positive, even from sceptical media outlets. He argued the trip advanced US interests across diplomacy, security and trade. Trump also pointed to ongoing negotiations on Greenland as proof of momentum. The remarks capped a Davos appearance that generated global attention and controversy.