Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has offered to collaborate with the Centre in providing last-mile internet connectivity, especially through Wi-Fi technology.

He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad to explore the company’s participation in the Centre’s ‘Digital India’ programme.

Data investments

Nadella also met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley later in the evening. Briefing the media after meeting Prasad, the Microsoft chief said the company is keen to set up data centres to encourage digitisation in India.

“We are making huge investments with our data centres in particular.

“It can empower organisations in this country to be world class with the access to great technology, which is all going to be available locally. I am looking forward to partner closely and see all of these come true to help every Indian citizen and organisations,” he said.

In October, during his first visit to India after taking over as the CEO of Microsoft, Nadella had talked about building data centres in a couple of regions to start with.

“I am looking forward to be part of both ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India’.

“The world is moving towards adoption of cloud technology and mobility. You will see our engagement in both areas,” he said.

‘Leverage Cloud’ Nadella also urged the Centre to take advantage of the cloud services being offered by Microsoft in India and said his company can do a pilot project in this area with the Government.

However, Prasad raised the issue of data security and stated that the data of 1.27 billion people form a big asset and their safety is a prime concern for the Centre and Microsoft must address this.

To this, the Microsoft chief said the company will place the servers in India and also assist the Centre in providing technological resources for making the data secure.

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