Prime Highlights-
- Lokesh unveiled the 2,800-acre Tirupati Space City near Sriharikota, targeting Russian investment in launch vehicle assembly, satellite manufacturing and avionics production.
- Andhra Pradesh is positioned as a key contributor to the USD 100 billion India-Russia bilateral trade target set for 2030 by Prime Minister Modi and President Putin.
Key Facts-
- Sriharikota, located in Andhra Pradesh, is India’s only operational spaceport and has supported over 100 space missions to date.
- Russian aluminium major RUSAL operates its 1.5-million-tonne Pioneer Alumina Project in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting existing Indo-Russian industrial ties in the state.
Background-
Andhra Pradesh Minister for HRD and IT, Nara Lokesh, invited Russian space, energy, aerospace, and technology companies to invest in the state at the India-Russia Business Forum held on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Lokesh positioned Andhra Pradesh as a strategic manufacturing and technology hub for Russian firms looking to participate in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
He noted that the state could be a major driver of growth in India-Russia trade as both countries work towards the USD 100 billion target for 2030.
The Minister highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s space credentials, pointing out that India’s only operational spaceport at Sriharikota has supported over 100 missions.
He announced plans for the 2,800-acre Tirupati Space City near Sriharikota, focused on launch vehicle assembly, satellite manufacturing and avionics production.
Lokesh also drew attention to existing Indo-Russian industrial collaborations, citing Russian aluminium major RUSAL’s 1.5-million-tonne Pioneer Alumina Project and Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy as models that could be replicated across new sectors in the state.
He highlighted the strong ties between India and Russia, pointing to years of collaboration across sectors, including Bhilai, Kudankulam, BrahMos and Gaganyaan. The Minister said the relationship had moved well beyond diplomacy and was now generating real industrial and technological value.
Opportunities highlighted by Lokesh included aerospace, semiconductors, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, drones, naval systems and advanced manufacturing, particularly around the state’s Advanced Manufacturing Cluster in Sri Sathya Sai district.