Chandrababu Naidu wants US consulate in Vijayawada

Hyderabad, Dec 2 (IAN) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu Tuesday urged the US to set up a consulate in Vijayawada, where the state is building its new capital.

The chief minister made the request when a delegation from the US State Department met him here.

"Most of the people flying to the US from the state hail from this region. Hence, it would be beneficial if you set up an office there," Naidu told the delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Puneet Talwar.

The UShas a consulate in Hyderabad.

The US officials said that they would consider the possibility of setting up a branch office in Vijayawada. The officials also evinced interest in investing in India's defence technologies, said a statement from the chief minister's office.

Naidu said that Visakhapatnam is home to Eastern Naval Command and hence, they welcome the investment in Andhra Pradesh. He explained that his focus is on manufacturing as well as the service sector.

"We want to focus on automobiles, electronics, agro-processing, petrochemicals, and other areas too apart from IT," he added.

He said that Andhra Pradesh has the potential to become the logistics hub for South East Asia where companies can manufacture goods and export to other countries through AP's ports.

On capital city, the chief minister informed the delegation that Singapore is preparing the master plan for the capital city and that works in capital city will start in another two-three months.

"Singapore Second Minister (trade and industry) S. Iswaran will be visiting us this month. So we will begin the works in another 2-3 months," Naidu said.

The delegation also included Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Atul Keshap, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Kenneth Handelman, Consul General Michael Mullins and other officials.