US President Donald Trump’s pro-America policies, emphasising tariffs and immigration curbs, may cast a subtle shadow over the Indian GCC ecosystem in the near term. Yet, this is a ripple, not a tide. However, India’s GCCs have weathered such currents before during Trump’s first term, with their numbers swelling from 1,100 to 1,500 proving the ecosystem lure. Experts point out that despite concerns about Trump’s pro-America policies, the Indian GCC ecosystem is unlikely to face a slowdown.
The consistent momentum in GCC expansion through 2024 and early 2025 demonstrates that global enterprises, particularly US-based companies, see India as a critical hub for talent, innovation, and operational efficiency. While policy shifts may influence outsourcing trends in certain industries, the demand for AI, digital transformation, and specialised talent will continue to drive US companies to leverage India’s GCCs as strategic assets.
A key focus for the US government has been to maintain leadership in AI and digital transformation, and India’s GCCs are well-positioned to support this agenda. With deep expertise in AI, machine learning, and digital technologies, India’s workforce provides the capabilities that global enterprises need to scale their AI initiatives, enhance automation, and drive next-generation innovation. Rather than pulling back, companies are increasing their investments in AI talent hubs, recognising India’s ability to deliver high-value innovation at scale.
“The GCC expansion trend remains robust, with major players like Meta, Google, Ford, Amgen, and ANZ increasing their presence in India, while new entrants including McDonald’s, Goodyear, Sonoco, Cyara, and Dark Matter have announced GCC setups. In Q4 2024 alone, more than 22 new GCCs were established, and in early 2025, the trend continued with 12 plus new setups and 14 plus expansions. The outlook for the next 5-6 months remains strong, with 30 plus new GCCs expected to be established,” said Vikram Ahuja, co-founder of ANSR, CEO 1Wrk.
Ahuja points out that India’s GCC ecosystem has proven to be resilient, future-ready, and indispensable to global enterprises. “Rather than seeing a decline in American companies setting up GCCs in India, the current trends suggest a continued expansion and deepening of GCC investments as companies seek to balance operational efficiencies with long-term innovation and competitiveness in a tech-driven global economy,” added Ahuja.
Market experts observe that despite Trump’s pro-America stance India-US economic ties remain strong, particularly in technology, manufacturing, and green energy, with ongoing collaboration between businesses in both countries. This reinforces India’s position as a preferred destination for global capability centres, providing long-term stability and a thriving ecosystem for growth.
Interestingly, over 60 percent of Fortune 500 firms already thrive here, drawn not just by economics but by India’s evolution into an innovation crucible think AI, R&D, and beyond.
“Trump’s policies might prompt a pause for some, a recalibration perhaps, but the DeepSeek lesson lingers: cost mastery is non-negotiable, and India delivers it with sophistication. Geopolitics may sway the margins, yet the ecosystem’s strategic allure bolstered by government incentives and a workforce that powers 24/7 global operations ensures its trajectory towards around 3,500 GCCs generating over $110 billion by 2030 holds firm,” said Alouk Kumar, Founder and CEO, Inductus.
“American firms won’t retreat; they’ll adapt, as they always have, finding in India not just a hub, but a partner in navigating this new era,” he added.
Over time Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda could reshape the landscape for Global Capability Centers (GCCs). With U.S. multinationals already relying on these hubs, Trump’s expected tightening of H-1B visa rules might spark a surge in their importance. Stricter regulations could push companies to tap India’s skilled, cost-effective talent pool directly through GCCs rather than navigating U.S. immigration hurdles, amplifying their role as a strategic workaround.
Experts say that as visa restrictions tighten, US multinationals could lean harder on these captive hubs, benefitting from access to India’s talent without immigration roadblocks.
“Positioned as a balance between full offshoring and onshoring, GCCs could thrive largely shielded from tariff threats that may strain broader US-India trade. At the same time GCCs—focused on internal operations rather than vendor contracts could sidestep any impact. With India’s maturing digital infrastructure, US firms may double down on their offshore hubs. While Trump’s policies could nudge some traditional IT Services operations, GCCs are well-positioned to evolve further,” pointed out Sandeep Panat, founder of Wizmatic.
However, adaptability is the key here. While traditional IT outsourcing faces potential hurdles, GCCs could emerge as quiet victors balancing cost, quality, and geopolitics in a Trump-driven world, reinforcing their role as indispensable to US firms’ global strategies.