Chandigarh , June 6 : Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, Communications and Human Resources Development, Nara Lokesh, today invited Russian companies to invest in Andhra Pradesh, highlighting the state’s growing strengths in space, advanced manufacturing, energy, electronics and technology sectors.
Addressing the India-Russia Business Forum on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum , the Minister underscored the strong and enduring relationship between India and Russia and called for a new era of economic cooperation aligned with the ambitious USD 100 billion bilateral trade target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin.
“Russia stood with India during defining moments of our development journey, from Bhilai and Kudankulam to BrahMos and Gaganyaan. That foundation is not something you build overnight. It is something you protect and build upon,” Minister Lokesh said.
Andhra Pradesh Positioned as a Strategic Investment Destination
Minister Lokesh highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s investor-friendly ecosystem, strategic location and robust infrastructure, positioning the state as an ideal destination for Russian investments.
He noted that Andhra Pradesh offers over 1,053 kilometres of coastline, six operational ports, extensive industrial land banks, reliable power supply and a governance framework focused on speedy project execution.
“What we are most proud of is not policy on paper but delivery on the ground. Large industrial projects are progressing rapidly in our state, and we are known for moving with speed when an investor makes a commitment. We call it the Speed of Doing Business,” he said.
The Minister also referred to successful Indo-Russian collaborations such as RUSAL’s Pioneer Alumina Project and Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy as examples of the strong economic partnership between the two countries.
Andhra Pradesh’s Space Economy Vision Takes Centre Stage
A key focus of Minister Lokesh’s address was Andhra Pradesh’s growing role in India’s space sector.
Recalling that India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched aboard a Soviet rocket in 1975 and that Roscosmos continues to support India’s Gaganyaan mission, the Minister said the next chapter of Indo-Russian cooperation could be built around space technology and innovation.
“India’s only operational spaceport at Sriharikota is located in Andhra Pradesh. More than 100 missions have been launched from our soil. Building on that legacy, we are creating dedicated Space Cities designed for research, satellite development and deep-tech innovation,” he said.
The Minister highlighted plans for the proposed 2,800-acre Tirupati Space City, which will focus on satellite manufacturing, launch vehicle assembly, avionics production and space research.
Inviting Russian space enterprises to establish operations in the state, he said Andhra Pradesh was well positioned to become a major hub for global space industry partnerships.
Opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing and Technology
Minister Lokesh also highlighted opportunities for Russian companies in aerospace, semiconductors, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, drones, naval systems and advanced manufacturing.
He pointed to Andhra Pradesh’s Advanced Manufacturing Cluster near Bengaluru in Sri Sathya Sai district as a strategic location for high-technology industries and global supply chains.
The Minister said Andhra Pradesh is committed to supporting investments that generate employment, strengthen industrial capabilities and contribute to India’s technological advancement.
Building the Future Together
As global supply chains continue to evolve, Minister Lokesh emphasized the importance of trusted partnerships in driving future growth.
“The world today values relationships it can trust. India and Russia have that trust. What we must now build together is the future,” he said.
Inviting Russian businesses to partner with Andhra Pradesh, the Minister concluded:
“Use Andhra Pradesh as your launchpad, your gateway to India’s growth story. On the ground, in the sea and in the stars above, Andhra Pradesh is ready. India is ready.”