Chandrababu Naidu meets Singapore PM Lawrence Wong, seeks partnership in semiconductors and AI

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (June 15, 2026) and discussed partnership between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, research and advanced manufacturing, on the first day of his Singapore visit.

Mr. Naidu said the talks also covered university partnerships, urban governance, logistics, natural farming, aquaculture, food exports, healthcare, clean energy and green hydrogen. He said he had briefed Mr. Wong on the development of Amaravati as a capital city with world-class infrastructure and institutions, and invited Singapore’s government-linked companies to partner in its growth. Mr. Wong appreciated the vision and progress, and expressed confidence in Amaravati’s potential, the Chief Minister said.

At his first engagement, Mr. Naidu met India’s High Commissioner to Singapore Shilpak Ambule and discussed deepening economic and trade ties between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Ambule outlined Singapore’s economic and commercial relationship with India and expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Indian States.

Mr. Naidu urged Singaporean companies to explore investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh, citing the State’s strengths in food processing, electronics, semiconductors and quantum technologies. He said the State offered opportunities in shipbuilding and in setting up Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in civil aviation. Nearly two million acres had been brought under natural farming, he said, and the State’s farmers were producing horticultural products with export potential.

“We are working towards achieving complete traceability in the food sector. Andhra Pradesh is seeking collaboration in robotics, medical devices, hardware and electronics manufacturing. Our youth are well-positioned to meet the talent requirements of Singapore’s technology sector,” he said.

Mr. Naidu credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating an investor-friendly ecosystem through policy reforms and streamlined governance. Investments were the key to development, wealth creation and employment, he said, adding that India had emerged as one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations. He also sought greater academic collaboration between Singaporean universities and institutions in Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Ambule said Singapore was a global leader in green energy and semiconductor ecosystems, and assured support for facilitating investments and partnerships in Andhra Pradesh.

Round-table with startups

Later, Mr. Naidu took part in a round-table with startup founders and venture capitalists, attended by Mr. Ambule, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana and venture capital investors.

India was no longer a sleeping economy but a rapidly transforming economic powerhouse driven by reforms and innovation, the Chief Minister said. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is progressing at an extraordinary pace. Countries like China took decades to achieve their current level of economic growth, but India is advancing much faster,” he said.

Mr. Naidu pointed to India’s growing capabilities in medical technology, advanced manufacturing, electronics exports and defence production, including the development of fifth-generation fighter aircraft, and described the country’s youth population as its greatest strength.

He outlined Andhra Pradesh’s industrial and entrepreneurial policies, including the ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’ initiative, and said the State was using an innovative land-pooling model for industrial projects, similar to the approach adopted for Amaravati. The State had shown its commitment to investments by providing speedy approvals and land allotments to companies such as Google and ArcelorMittal, he said.

“This is the right time for investors to establish industrial projects in Andhra Pradesh. Industrial hubs such as Sri City continue to attract large-scale investments and provide world-class infrastructure,” he said.

Referring to the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub, Mr. Naidu invited venture capital firms to partner with startups from the ecosystem and back them with funding and mentorship. He urged venture capitalists to support breakthrough innovations and help make Andhra Pradesh a leading startup and technology destination.

Talks with UN-Habitat

Mr. Naidu met UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach in Singapore and discussed cooperation on sustainable urban development, climate resilience and building future-ready cities in Andhra Pradesh, he said. The talks focused on developing Amaravati as a model for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

He said the two discussed integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into the city’s planning, drawing on UN-Habitat’s expertise and networks, building partnerships with international universities, and setting up a Centre of Excellence for Urban Affairs in Amaravati. Mr. Naidu said he had shared the State’s vision of building Amaravati as a net-zero, knowledge-driven city powered by green energy, and that the two discussed a structured framework to position it as a case study in sustainable urban transformation.

Published – June 15, 2026 12:13 pm IST