Reliance Industries has unveiled a sweeping set of announcements centred on artificial intelligence, cloud expansion, and capital market ambitions.
At its annual shareholders’ meeting on Friday, the Indian conglomerate detailed new partnerships with Google and Meta, launched a dedicated AI subsidiary, and confirmed plans to list Reliance Jio in the first half of 2026.
The developments signal a broader strategic move to position Reliance as a global player in data, digital infrastructure, and sovereign AI, while also underlining the growing role of US technology companies in India’s rapidly expanding economy.
Reliance launches AI subsidiary and Google cloud region
Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, announced the formation of Reliance Intelligence, a fully owned subsidiary that will spearhead the group’s AI ambitions.
Ambani described AI as “a new growth engine” comparable in scale to the group’s earlier bet on digital services.
Google and Reliance will establish a dedicated cloud region in India. The facility will be powered by clean energy supplied by Reliance and connected through Jio’s network.
In a pre-recorded video, Google CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed that the collaboration would enable AI and cloud adoption across key sectors, including energy, retail, telecommunications, and financial services.
Reliance and Meta commit $100m to AI joint venture
Separately, Ambani revealed a new joint venture with Meta to leverage its open-source AI models. The project will focus on developing enterprise-ready AI tailored for India, with an emphasis on sovereign capabilities.
Reliance will hold a 70% stake, and Meta 30%, with both companies committing a combined $100 million.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted the venture as a step towards advancing broader access to AI and superintelligence.
The move builds on Meta’s previous investment of $5.7 billion in Jio Platforms in 2020, alongside Google’s $4.5 billion stake announced in the same year.
Jio listing targeted for 2026
Alongside the AI announcements, Ambani disclosed that Reliance Jio, India’s largest mobile network operator, is expected to be listed in the first half of 2026.
Jio has grown rapidly over the past decade due to competitive pricing and currently underpins much of Reliance’s digital and telecommunications portfolio.
Jio Platforms, which owns the mobile business, was previously valued between $58 billion to $65 billion during the 2020 funding rounds when both Google and Meta became investors.
The proposed listing marks a key development for Reliance, providing a fresh opportunity for public market investors to gain exposure to India’s largest telecom operator.
US-India trade backdrop
These deepened ties with Google and Meta arrive at a complex moment for US-India economic relations.
US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on India in response to its continued purchases of Russian oil.
Despite these trade tensions, the partnerships reflect how American technology firms continue to strengthen their position in India, drawn by its fast-growing digital economy and expanding consumer base.
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