‘Use Andhra Pradesh as your launch pad’: Lokesh asks Russian firms to orbit Sriharikota

Andhra Pradesh IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026.

| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Andhra Pradesh has invited Russian space and technology firms to invest in its emerging space ecosystem and use the State as their “launch pad”, Information Technology and Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026.Taking part in the c Business Dialogue at the forum on Thursday (June 4, 2026), Mr. Lokesh showcased the State’s plans in space, aerospace, semiconductor and advanced manufacturing, and asked Russian companies to become long-term partners in its growth."Use Andhra Pradesh as your launch pad."IT Minister Nara Lokesh invites Russian space and tech firms to invest, pitching Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India's only operational spaceport with 100-plus missions, and a $4-billion space push, at SPIEF 2026. pic.twitter.com/mTFanLSXmE— The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) June 4, 2026Mr. Lokesh said the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota was India’s only operational spaceport and had been the launch site for more than 100 space missions.He said the State had announced its Space Policy 4.0 and was developing dedicated space cities for research, satellite development, launch systems and deep-tech innovation. A key part of this is the Tirupati Space City, planned on 3,000 acres near Sriharikota.The city is planned as a hub for launch vehicle assembly, satellite manufacturing, avionics production and next-generation space technologies. “We aspire to attract close to $4 billion of investment into this ecosystem,” he said, inviting large-scale Russian participation.Beyond space technology, Mr. Lokesh said, there were investment opportunities in energy, semiconductors, microelectronics, quantum computing, advanced healthcare technologies and commodities."India and Russia share a friendship that holds firm when the world is uncertain," Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh at the India-Russia Business Forum, SPIEF.Forged through Bhilai, Kudankulam, Gaganyaan and BrahMos, he said the ties must now build the future. pic.twitter.com/mgoRMHjsfz— The Hindu - Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) June 4, 2026He also cited the State’s emerging advanced manufacturing corridor in Sri Sathya Sai district, near Bengaluru, as a destination for aerospace, avionics, drone manufacturing, naval systems and semiconductor industries.Mr. Lokesh called for deeper collaboration in future-oriented sectors. “The partnership that began with Aryabhata in 1975 is ready for the next orbit. I would request all of you to use Andhra Pradesh as your launch pad,” he told the delegates.He said the India-Russia partnership had moved beyond diplomatic symbolism and was now creating industrial value through investments, energy partnerships and advanced technology cooperation.Microelectronics talksMr. Lokesh met Element Group’s head of international commercial projects Anton Zakharov and Nanotronica chief executive Julia Suhoroslova, in Moscow. Element Group is one of Russia’s leading microelectronics firms and a major producer of semiconductor components, RFID chips, smart-card modules and industrial electronics, accounting for a large share of the country’s microelectronics output through a network of design and manufacturing centres, he said in a post on X on Thursday.#InvestInAP#ChooseSpeedChooseAPHad a productive discussion in Moscow with Anton Zakharov (Head of international commercial projects Element Group) and Julia Suhoroslova (CEO Nanotronica). Element Group is one of Russia's leading microelectronics companies and a major… pic.twitter.com/Fk4ryys3gj— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) June 4, 2026He invited Element Group to consider opportunities in Andhra Pradesh: RFID and smart-card chip assembly in Visakhapatnam, power semiconductor manufacturing in Nellore, robotics and automation services in Sri City, and a microelectronics design centre. As India builds its semiconductor plans, the State was positioning itself as a destination for electronics manufacturing, design and advanced technology partnerships, he said. Published - June 04, 2026 06:44 pm IST