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Andhra Pradesh minister for Human Resource Development, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh on Thursday, June 4, invited Russian space and technology firms to invest in the emerging space ecosystem in the state. Lokesh, currently on a visit to Russia, is a participant in the Russia–India Business Dialogue at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026.
He showcased the state's ambitious plans in the space, aerospace, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing sectors, inviting Russian companies to become long-term partners.
Highlighting Andhra Pradesh's strategic importance in India's space ecosystem, Lokesh said that the state's Satish Dhawan Space Centre is India's only operational spaceport and has been the launch site for more than 100 space missions.
"India's only operational space port, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, is in my state of Andhra Pradesh. More than 100 missions have been launched from this soil," he said.
According to an official statement, the minister said the state has unveiled its Space Policy 4.0 and is developing dedicated space cities to support research, satellite development, launch systems, and deep-tech innovation.
A key component of the initiative is the proposed Tirupati Space City, spread across 3,000 acres near Sriharikota, which is envisioned 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," Lokesh said.
Beyond space technology, the minister highlighted investment opportunities in aerospace, energy, semiconductors, microelectronics, quantum computing, advanced healthcare technologies, and commodities. He noted that Andhra Pradesh is already one of India's largest exporters of rice and shrimp to Russia.
Lokesh also pointed to the state's emerging advanced manufacturing corridor in Sri Sathya Sai District, strategically located near Bengaluru, as a promising destination for aerospace, avionics, drone manufacturing, naval systems, and semiconductor industries.