IT Minister Lokesh exhorts Telugu diaspora in Australia to join efforts to rebuild Andhra Pradesh

IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh has called upon the Telugu diaspora in Australia to come together to rebuild Andhra Pradesh, emphasising their role in the development of the State.

The time for Telugu people to once again hold their heads high has come, Mr. Lokesh said at a meeting with the Telugu community organised by the AP Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) at the Brewer’s Pavilion of the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 19, 2025 (Sunday).

On the occasion, Mr. Lokesh said the legendary actor Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) brought global recognition to “Telugu pride” and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu demonstrated the power of Telugu leadership to the world.

He recalled how Telugu people around the world took to the streets in protest against Mr. Naidu’s arrest in the skill development scam case, and thanked them for giving the TDP-Jana Sena Party-BJP alliance an unprecedented mandate in the 2024 elections.

Mr. Lokesh said the coalition government had development and welfare as twin priorities, and it was striving to achieve the objectives with utmost dedication.

He noted that Andhra Pradesh attracted ₹10 lakh crore worth of investments in 16 months, while asserting that “one State, one capital, and decentralised development” was the government’s mission.

The Minister said the State government could convince Google to set up its AI data centre in Visakhapatnam, but it would not have materialised without the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The State was also thankful to the Centre for facilitating the establishment of AM&NS steel plant in Anakapalli district, he said.

While saying that Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan was a trustworthy partner, Mr. Lokesh commented that the ruling parties might have minor differences, but they were determined to take the State forward by amicably sorting out the issues.

S. Janaki Raman, Consul General of India in Sydney, APNRTS president Vemuri Ravi Kumar and others were present.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Lokesh met Australia-India CEO Forum Director Jodi McKay. He sought the inclusion of Andhra Pradesh in the Australia-India CEO Forum’s State Engagement Agenda, and highlighted the State’s potential as a major investment destination.

Also, Mr. Lokesh requested support for the upcoming Australia – AP CEO Round Table being jointly organised by the AP Economic Development Board, Business Council of Australia, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Ms. McKay noted that the Australia-India CEO Forum was initiated in 2012to strengthen strategic and economic ties between the two countries, and promised to extend all possible cooperation for the development of A.P.