Andhra Pradesh IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh asserted on October 3 that India is on the cusp of becoming a developed nation within a single decade. Speaking at the Pan-IIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026 in Vijayawada, Lokesh contrasted India's potential rapid ascent with the century it took for Western nations to develop, or the 25-30 years for global hubs like Singapore and Dubai.
A 'Golden Decade' for India
Lokesh framed the next ten years as a pivotal "golden decade" for the nation, emphasizing Andhra Pradesh's crucial role in driving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) vision. He urged the extensive global PanIIT network, comprising 23 IITs and nearly 500,000 alumni, to contribute to making Andhra Pradesh an "island of excellence" – a living laboratory for national innovation.
Andhra Pradesh's Strategy for Growth
The state's development strategy, according to Lokesh, is built upon a "3S mantra": Speed, Service, and Stability. He characterized the state government as "a team in a hurry," focused intensely on ground-level execution and job creation, rather than merely signing symbolic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Leadership and Innovation
Lokesh highlighted the unique leadership structure in Andhra Pradesh, likening Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s evolving tenure to a software update, now in "version 4.0." He noted that this seasoned leadership is bolstered by "young hardware," with 50% of legislators and 17 out of 25 cabinet ministers being first-timers. This "marriage between seasoned software and young dynamic hardware" provides Andhra Pradesh with a distinct competitive edge, he stated.
The Minister also outlined a philosophical shift in state administration, moving from informal "Jugaad" (improvisation) fixes to "institutionalised speed." He shared an anecdote demonstrating competitive federalism, where a neighboring state inquired within 24 hours why the Pan-IIT event was hosted in Vijayawada instead of their own. Lokesh expressed confidence that successful models pioneered in Andhra Pradesh would eventually be replicated across India, solidifying its position as a premier destination for technology, entrepreneurship, and research.