HCLSoftware, Sify join hands to launch sovereign AI stack for Indian businesses

In a push to localise artificial intelligence infrastructure amid tightening data compliance requirements, HCLSoftware has entered into a strategic partnership with Sify Digital Services Limited to roll out a fully managed sovereign AI stack for Indian enterprises. The two companies on Monday said they will jointly offer a subscription-based “Sovereign AI Foundation + Applications” model, aimed at sectors such as banking and financial services (BFSI), healthcare and government, where data residency and regulatory oversight are critical.

The partnership combines Sify’s sovereign data centre infrastructure and AI foundation layer with HCLSoftware’s India-owned enterprise applications. The companies said the integrated stack will ensure that enterprise data remains within national borders and under Indian jurisdiction, addressing compliance mandates while enabling large-scale AI adoption.

Under the arrangement, Sify will provide what it calls a “Sovereign AI Foundation”, comprising government-compliant infrastructure, platform services, foundation models and industry blueprints. HCLSoftware will layer its enterprise software portfolio on top, creating a full-stack AI ecosystem delivered as a managed service.

The companies said that the new solution is designed to reduce the complexity of AI deployment for regulated industries.

“This partnership bridges the gap between India-owned, high-performance AI-infused products operating on Sify’s sovereign infrastructure, delivering a sovereign-complete stack to Indian customers,” said Dhruv Kohli, VP and Country Head – India, HCLSoftware.
Aman Mehra, Head of Strategy and Transformation at Sify, said enterprises will be able to adopt AI through ready-to-use, subscription-led solutions that combine compliance, performance and operational simplicity.

The companies plan to jointly target customer acquisition, with Sify expected to evolve into a primary managed services provider (MSP) for the integrated AI stack.

The initial set of solutions will include sovereign collaboration platforms built on HCL Domino, intelligent infrastructure operations leveraging HCL BigFix for endpoint and IT service management, and application security capabilities through HCL AppScan with AI-driven code remediation. The partners also plan to introduce the HCL AION platform to help enterprises build and manage the full AI lifecycle on Sify’s infrastructure.

The move comes at a time when Indian enterprises are increasingly seeking alternatives to global hyperscaler-led AI deployments, particularly for sensitive workloads. With data localisation norms tightening and sectoral regulators stepping up oversight, sovereign AI infrastructure is emerging as a strategic priority for domestic IT and software providers looking to capture the next phase of enterprise AI spending.

Last year, Tata Consultancy Services launched its SovereignSecure Cloud solution to host sensitive workloads within India’s borders, embedding AI and regulatory compliance into its stack, while others, such as Infosys and Wipro, are boosting AI-centric cloud and automation platforms tailored for regulated sectors