South Africa tour of India 2019
Lokesh Meets Tech Mahindra CEO in Davos, Seeks Startup Support and Advanced Tech Expansion in Andhra Pradesh
During his Davos visit, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics Nara Lokesh held an extensive meeting with Tech Mahindra CEO and Managing Director Mohit Joshi to discuss strengthening collaboration in technology, innovation, and digital skilling. The interaction, held on Day 4 of the visit, focused on expanding Tech Mahindra’s footprint in Andhra Pradesh and building a robust startup ecosystem.
Minister Lokesh urged Tech Mahindra to fast-track the development of its proposed IT campus in Vijayawada, envisaged to employ between 5,000 and 10,000 professionals. He also called for accelerating delivery operations in Visakhapatnam, highlighting the state’s commitment to becoming a leading digital economy.
A key proposal included the establishment of a Tech Mahindra Skilling Campus in either Vijayawada or Visakhapatnam, focusing on future technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, IoT, Cybersecurity, and Industry 4.0. Lokesh also invited the company to partner with the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub to mentor and scale Andhra Pradesh-based startups.
Further, the minister suggested setting up a Centre of Excellence at IIT Tirupati for smart manufacturing and industrial automation, along with a Quantum Computing Lab in Amaravati’s upcoming Quantum Valley, in collaboration with Tech Mahindra and Strangeworks. Responding positively, Mohit Joshi highlighted Tech Mahindra’s existing strong partnership with the Andhra Pradesh government, including the successful establishment of India’s first state-wide Cyber Security Operations Centre (AP-CSOC). He assured that the company would examine the new proposals for deeper collaboration.
The meeting underscored Andhra Pradesh’s strategic focus on advanced technologies, digital skilling, and innovation-led growth.
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