Overview
- After meeting Sundar Pichai, Thomas Kurian and Bikash Koley in San Francisco, Nara Lokesh discussed the commencement timeline for Google's proposed Visakhapatnam AI data centre, described by Pichai as the company’s largest FDI outside the US.
- Lokesh sought Google’s support for a data-centre server manufacturing ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh and proposed a drone assembly, calibration and testing unit in the state’s planned Drone City.
- The US leg included pitches to Intel, NVIDIA, Adobe and Zoom for initiatives such as an Intel ATMP facility, an Intel–Amaravati AI research centre, AI training and GCC or R&D hubs, with executives indicating the proposals would be examined.
- Shifting to Toronto, Lokesh met Business Council of Canada president Goldy Hyder to mobilize Canadian investment, with Hyder pledging support to facilitate deals.
- He asked CPPIB to consider investments in renewable energy, sea ports and logistics plus an Amaravati partnership, and separately raised a Sterling Resorts proposal with Prem Watsa and expansion possibilities with OpenText’s John Radko.