YouTube CEO Neal Mohan reaffirmed the video platform’s expanding commitment to India’s flourishing digital content industry, announcing a significant ₹850 crore investment—roughly $102 million—over the next two years. The funds are intended to accelerate the growth of India’s creator economy, which has been evolving at a rapid pace in recent years.
Speaking at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) held in Mumbai, Mohan spotlighted India’s growing influence in the global digital content space. He described the country as an emerging “Creator Nation” and disclosed that YouTube has disbursed more than ₹21,000 crore, or around $2.5 billion, to Indian content creators, artists, and media firms during the last three years.
“India’s creator economy is not only thriving—it’s exploding,” Mohan said in his keynote speech at the prominent industry gathering, which brought together top entertainment professionals, government officials, and content visionaries. He emphasized the scale and scope of content creation in India, revealing that, “Over the past year alone, more than 100 million Indian channels uploaded content, and over 15,000 have crossed the one-million subscriber mark.”
According to Mohan, YouTube’s strength lies in its unmatched ability to connect creators to a global viewer base, enabling Indian talent to reach audiences far beyond national borders. “India isn’t just a global leader in film and music—it’s quickly becoming what I’m proud to call a ‘Creator Nation,’” he said.
He underlined the international appeal of Indian digital content by stating that videos originating from India generated more than 45 billion hours of watch time from global viewers in the last year alone. This vast engagement highlights India’s growing role in shaping global cultural conversations through video content.
The announcement was well-aligned with a broader message delivered by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who opened the WAVES summit with a call for greater creative responsibility amid a landscape transformed by rapid technological advancement. In his address, PM Modi highlighted the importance of retaining cultural authenticity and emotional richness in content, even as tools like artificial intelligence and advanced production techniques become more widespread.
“WAVES will be a bridge between Indian talent and global platforms,” the Prime Minister said. He extended an invitation to global investors and content creators to engage with India’s vibrant and diverse storytelling tradition. PM Modi also urged the country’s youth to actively participate in sharing their stories with the world. He encouraged them to bring to light what he called India’s “one billion untold stories,” underscoring the country’s untapped potential to enrich the world with its cultural narratives and emotional depth.
The initiative represents a clear strategic move for YouTube as it solidifies India’s position as a central hub in its global operations. With Indian audiences leading the world in mobile-first video consumption, YouTube’s substantial investment reflects a vision for the country not just as a regional leader but as a critical pillar in the platform’s worldwide growth strategy. The platform is committed to expanding monetization options, enhancing creative tools, and facilitating international visibility for Indian content creators.
For YouTube, India’s value lies not only in its massive user base but in its creative energy and ability to produce stories that resonate globally. The investment is therefore more than just financial support—it’s a signal that the platform sees long-term potential in Indian creators to define future trends in global digital entertainment.
While India’s traditional film and music industries have long been recognized globally, the digital content sector is now emerging as an equally influential cultural force. The evolving creator economy in India is diverse, innovative, and remarkably fast-growing. By giving creators access to more advanced tools and wider monetization avenues, YouTube is positioning itself as both a facilitator and beneficiary of this creative revolution.
Moreover, Mohan’s remarks at the summit echoed the belief that platforms like YouTube play a crucial role in cultural diplomacy and the global spread of ideas. By enabling content in regional Indian languages and from remote parts of the country to reach international audiences, the platform contributes to greater cultural exchange and understanding. It not only amplifies the voices of Indian creators but also allows global viewers to engage with stories they might not otherwise encounter.
The Prime Minister’s vision of storytelling infused with emotional depth, cultural wisdom, and ethical creativity complements YouTube’s strategy of elevating authentic voices. As technology continues to redefine how stories are told and shared, the challenge will be to ensure that rapid innovation does not come at the cost of narrative integrity. Mohan and Modi’s combined messages underscore a shared hope: that technology will empower storytellers rather than overshadow their stories.
Looking ahead, YouTube’s ₹850 crore pledge signifies more than capital injection—it reflects a deeper strategic alignment with India’s digital and cultural future. It is a recognition of the country’s growing status as a global center for video content, driven by a new generation of tech-savvy storytellers. These creators are not just entertaining audiences—they are redefining modern storytelling, shaping perceptions, and influencing global media trends.
By bolstering this sector with financial backing, tools for content enhancement, and increased international outreach, YouTube aims to create an ecosystem where Indian creators can not only succeed at home but also thrive on a global stage. The move is part of a broader trend where tech giants are looking to India not just as a market, but as a creative engine with the ability to lead global content creation in the digital age.
In a media landscape where digital platforms are becoming as influential as traditional broadcasters, India’s ascendancy as a Creator Nation could mark a pivotal shift. YouTube’s renewed focus on the Indian creator economy underscores a belief that the next wave of global influencers, cultural icons, and trendsetters may well emerge from India’s bustling digital spaces. This commitment, backed by investment and vision, signals a new chapter in India’s digital story—one that merges creativity, commerce, and cultural diplomacy on an unprecedented scale.