Davos 2026: India's single biggest agenda should be creating jobs, says Andhra IT Minister Nara Lokesh

At the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, Andhra Pradesh's IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, emphasized that India’s most pressing economic focus should be on job creation. He conveyed that as the nation advances in manufacturing and technology-driven growth, employment must remain a top priority. "The singular agenda we must pursue is creating jobs, and that’s our primary focus," Lokesh stated during an interview with Siddharth Zarabi, Editor of Business Today Group. He highlighted the government's dedication to executing projects designed to fulfill this promise of job creation across various sectors. Lokesh underscored the importance of aligning India's growth narrative with employment outcomes, particularly in light of the transformative impact of technology on work dynamics. Reflecting on the past two decades, he noted, "India has been the biggest beneficiary of the IT revolution." Recognizing the dual nature of technological advancement—where some roles are becoming obsolete while new opportunities arise—Lokesh stressed the necessity of early workforce preparation. He advocated for educational reforms that inspire children to embrace the potential of artificial intelligence, which he believes can pave the way for next-generation employment. The Andhra Pradesh IT Minister also pointed out that the state has been proactive in adapting to changes in the tech sector, citing a significant investment announcement from Google last year. The tech giant pledged around $15 billion to India over five years, including the establishment of its first AI hub in Visakhapatnam. This announcement was viewed as a strong affirmation of Andhra Pradesh's digital capabilities and its attractiveness to global tech firms. While specific future collaborations were not disclosed during the WEF discussions, Lokesh expressed optimism that Google’s investment could herald a wave of partnerships with other major technology companies, aimed at building a robust digital workforce in the state.