“Let’s unite and rebuild Andhra Pradesh. It’s time for Telugu people to hold their heads high again,” said Minister for IT and Education Nara Lokesh, addressing the Australia Telugu Diaspora Meet organised by the Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu (APNRT) at the Sydney Cricket Ground’s Brewers Pavilion on Sunday.

Lokesh called upon Non-Resident Indians to be brand ambassadors for the state’s growth and transformation. “Telugu people are everywhere from America to Australia. Wherever you go, you’ll find the Telugu spirit leading with energy and excellence. When the Andhra government unjustly arrested Chandrababu Naidu garu, it was the NRIs who stood by us and raised their voice across cities worldwide,” he said.

Lokesh lauded the immense support NRIs extended during Naidu’s arrest, recalling, “Over 45,000 people joined us in Hyderabad. That solidarity strengthened our resolve to serve the people.” He added that the Telugu Desam-led alliance’s landslide victory in the 2024 elections, winning 94 percent of Assembly seats, was the result of the hard work of every Telugu person, both in India and abroad.

Highlighting the government’s achievements, Lokesh revealed that Andhra Pradesh attracted Rs. 10 lakh crore worth of investments in just 16 months, a record unmatched by any other state. “We are working with the goal of creating 20 lakh jobs in five years. Our double-engine bullet train Modi at the Centre and Chandrababu in the State is accelerating Andhra’s growth,” he said.

Outlining the government’s industrial vision, Lokesh said Anantapur is emerging as an automotive hub, Kurnool and North Anantapur as renewable energy centres, and Chittoor–Kadapa as electronics manufacturing hubs. “Visakhapatnam will be developed as a data and defence hub, and Polavaram will be completed within five years to deliver Godavari waters to North Andhra,” he noted.

Encouraging NRIs to invest and promote Andhra globally, Lokesh remarked, “You are not Non-Resident Indians you are Most Reliable Indians. Talk about Andhra in your companies and networks. If any firm plans to invest in India, let us know. We’ll close the deal together. When you invest in AP, it’s not your project, it's our project.”

Lokesh also announced plans to establish a special APNRT Economic Development Division linked with the state’s Economic Development Board to support entrepreneurs and youth employment. “Together, we can turn Andhra Pradesh into a $2.4 trillion economy,” he concluded.