Microsoft on Tuesday announced its decision to localise Windows and Office software in 14 Indian languages over the next 12 months and that the company would hire 'hundreds' in India this year.

This was stated by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer during his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Ballmer also said that India must take steps to increase computer penetration in the country.

"The first thing on the prime minister's mind was support for all Indian languages in computer software that people use. I updated him on 'Project Bhasha' to bring MS Windows and Office in 14 Indian languages by this time next year," Ballmer said after the meeting.

Expressing concern over poor PC penetration in India, he said: "The government needs to help get more computers in the hands of more people. We also feel that the government can do a lot to stimulate IT economy in India since India still lags somewhat in investment in computerisation for its own purposes even though providing IT services to the world."

He said Microsoft will hire hundreds of software engineers in India in this year.

Asked about offshoring to India, he said: "We are in a fortunate situation. We need to add smart people. We are hiring in the United States: we will hire 3,000 people in the US and hundreds of people in India this year."

"I trust you to continue to see us hire more and more R&D engineers as fast as we can even as we continue to hire at our headquarters in Seattle," he said.