India news: Modi becomes longest

Here is a roundup of some of the top headlines that got India talking on Tuesday, June 9:

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Meta taps Ambani's Reliance for first AI-enabled data center in India

Meta and Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries (RIL) on Wednesday announced a deal to develop an artificial intelligence-enabled data center in the western state of Gujarat.

The agreement comes as the US tech giant seeks to expand its global footprint.

The center is set to be built in Gujarat's Jamnagar district, a joint statement said.

"RIL will develop a data center with 168 MW capacity to be delivered within two years, with an option to scale," it said, without adding financial details.

Under the agreement, Meta will lease the facility, and Reliance will provide "end-to-end services spanning the entire lifecycle of the data centre."

That includes everything — "from design and construction to the ongoing management of utilities, renewable power supply, network connectivity, and fully managed operational services," the statement said.

"This partnership with Meta marks a transformative moment for India's digital infrastructure. Building India's first built-to-suit data centre for a global technology leader of Meta's scale demonstrates India's readiness to be at the forefront of the global AI revolution," said Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has been pushing India as an AI hub for the world. This has resulted in expanding data centers, which critics say are adversely impacting the local environment. Nearby communities have accused these centers of guzzling their water supply, causing groundwater levels to drop.

"The data center will be powered by renewable energy and cooled with desalinated seawater, demonstrating both RIL's and Meta's commitment to sustainability," the companies' joint statement said.

Jamnagar is the cornerstone of Reliance Industries' core energy and manufacturing business. It is also home to Vantara, a wildlife conservation and rehabilitation center widely known as the pet project of Reliance Industries' owner Mukesh Ambani's youngest son.

The 3,500-acre Vantara facility claims to be one of the world's largest wildlife rescue and conservation centers, housing over 2,000 species.

Meanwhile, Meta CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg said he was "proud to be working with Reliance" to build the company's first AI-enabled data center in India.

India's AI expansions stress water supplies near Delhi

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Starlink says discussing India launch with government

Elon Musk's Starlink says it is in active discussion with the Indian government and has applied for a license to start satellite communications services in India.

The government has issued a letter of intent to the company, with the final license still pending.

Recent media reports said New Delhi had frozen approval for Starlink's commercial operations in the country due to security concerns linked to the Iran conflict. But the company has refuted those reports.

"Starlink remains in active and productive discussions with the Government of India contrary to misleading stories based upon unsubstantiated claims from anonymous sources," Lauren Dreyer, vice president of Starlink Business Operations, said on X.

Dreyer said that Starlink has worked with the government through all of the required regulatory and compliance processes in a transparent and responsible manner.

World seeks wider web as US dominates satellite internet

Narendra Modi surpasses Nehru as longest-serving PM of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the longest-serving continuously elected leader of India.

Modi first assumed office in May 2014 and secured a third consecutive term in 2024.

On June 10, Modi crossed the milestone of 4,399 consecutive days in office, overtaking the record previously held by India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Indian public 'split' on Narendra Modi's visit to Israel

Nehru, who was sworn in as prime minister on May 13, 1952, remained in office until May 27, 1964, serving a total of 4,398 days.

Modi received an outpouring of warm congratulations from world leaders on Wednesday.

"Public service is the greatest measure of good governance. It is only the individual who works tirelessly with humility, dedication, and a sense of duty who earns the trust of the people," Modi said in a post on X to mark the occasion.

Good morning! This is Midhat from DW's New Delhi Studio, bringing you the latest from India today.

Narendra Modi has become the longest-serving elected Indian prime minister.

Elon Musk's Starlink could be making inroads in India as it seeks a license to start satellite communications services in the country.

Meanwhile, many in India faced a Google Cloud outage after a third-party data center caught fire and was shutdown.

Stay tuned as we bring you these stories and more from across the country.