Microsoft to Invest $1.7 Billion in India

With plans to double its workforce in India over the next four years to 3,000, Microsoft on Wednesday said it would pump $1.7 billion into the country to develop new facilities for research and development. A special version of Windows for India will also be released in nine Indian languages.

"The growth in employment for Microsoft will be more in India than the United States," Bill Gates told reporters. Microsoft's pledge follows news that Intel will spend $1 billion in India over the next five years, and an announcement by Cisco that will invest $1.1 billion. Microsoft's efforts will focus on bridging the digital divide and provide technology to the poor and those without computers.