Andhra Pradesh IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh outlined his vision for India’s development and Andhra Pradesh’s technology-led growth while speaking at the Pan-IIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026 in Vijayawada on October 3.
Lokesh said developed Western nations took several decades to reach their present levels, while cities such as Dubai and Singapore developed over shorter periods. He argued that India could achieve developed-nation status within a decade, describing the coming 10 years as a “golden decade.”
He presented Andhra Pradesh’s development approach through a “3S mantra” — Speed, Service and Stability. According to Lokesh, the state government is focusing on execution, investment and job creation rather than agreements that do not translate into projects on the ground.
Lokesh also called on the global PanIIT network, which he described as comprising 23 IITs and nearly 500,000 alumni, to contribute to Andhra Pradesh’s innovation ecosystem. He proposed positioning the state as an “island of excellence” and a potential testbed for technologies and ideas that could later be adopted elsewhere.
The minister further highlighted the role of younger political leaders and administrators in the state government. He described Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s experience alongside younger legislators and ministers as a combination of established leadership and a younger generation.
Lokesh also stressed competitive federalism, saying competition among states could encourage faster implementation and innovation. His comments build on his broader emphasis on technology, data centres, investment and employment in Andhra Pradesh.
