Obama Caught between KCR, Naidu

Hyderabad: US President Barack Obama is caught between AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the TS Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Both the Chief Ministers are vying with each other to woo the US President to visit their respective States. While Naidu wants to show Visakhapatnam to Obama and seek his help in construction of smart cities, TS government wants him to visit Hyderabad to study the development taking place in the areas of industry and technology.

• AP, TS vying with each other to invite Obama
• Naidu wants to seek US help for smart cities
• KCR eyeing investments from US in Telangana
• Naidu to meet Obama in New Delhi on Jan 26
• TS Chief Secretary to write to US embassy

Given the tight schedule of the US President, it has to been seen whether Obama will go to either State. Drawing attention to the highest number of H1B visas from Hyderabad Consulate, the TS government says that this is a clear indication that the city was is hub for a large number of technocrats moving to the US.

Meanwhile, Naidu is lobbying at the embassy level through top AP officials. Also, he would meet Obama in New Delhi on January 26 when the latter comes as chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations and will extend a personal invitation.

The TS government has also asked the Chief Secretary to write a letter to US embassy inviting Obama to visit Hyderabad. On Tuesday, Minister for IT and Panchayat Raj K T Rama Rao urged the US delegation led by the Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs Puneet Talwar to include Hyderabad in Obama’s itinerary.

KTR pointed out the rapid growth in IT and other sectors in South India, particularly in Hyderabad. He explained business potential in defence and aerospace sectors and invited the US to invest.