During the AP AgTech Summit in 2017, Chandrababu Naidu recounted the story of how he secured a meeting with Bill Gates back in the late 1990s.
Today, TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for an impressive fourth term. The swearing-in ceremony promises to be a high-profile event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J.P. Nadda, and other notable leaders. This marks another significant chapter in Naidu’s illustrious political career, underscoring his enduring influence and leadership in the region. Amit Shah posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Met the Chief Minister-designate of Andhra Pradesh, Shri @ncbn Garu in Vijayawada and congratulated him on the NDA’s massive victory. Looking forward to attending the oath-taking ceremony tomorrow.”
Thanking my friend @BillGates for attending the valedictory ceremony at #Agtech. Glad to have someone as generous as him supporting us in our crusade for agricultural transformation in AP. We hope to also seek directions from him in the areas of nutrition, health & sanitation. pic.twitter.com/tnJviG5Kdk
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) November 17, 2017
Chandrababu Naidu first took office as the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh in 1995. He’s widely recognized for transforming Hyderabad into a technology hub, a feat that included persuading Bill Gates to establish a Microsoft office in the city. During the AP AgTech Summit in 2017, Naidu recounted the bold and strategic moves he made to secure an appointment with Gates back in the late 1990s, highlighting his vision and tenacity. Today, as he prepares to be sworn in for his fourth term as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, his legacy of innovation and leadership continues to inspire.
“Gates was in New Delhi on some work. I contacted the officials of the United States for an appointment. They told me that he was very busy, and that if I was keen, I could attend a cocktail party in the evening,” he said.
Thanking my friend @BillGates for attending the valedictory ceremony at #Agtech. Glad to have someone as generous as him supporting us in our crusade for agricultural transformation in AP. We hope to also seek directions from him in the areas of nutrition, health & sanitation. pic.twitter.com/tnJviG5Kdk
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) November 17, 2017
“I made a presentation through a laptop and I was the first Indian politician to do so,” he claimed. The appointment with Bill Gates was supposed to last 10 minutes but the meeting continued for 40 minutes.
Bill Gates subsequently assured him that whenever Microsoft contemplated establishing a center outside the United States, they would duly consider Chandrababu Naidu’s request.
“Not only Microsoft opened its development centre in Hyderabad but Satya Nadella who is from our place became Microsoft CEO,” he said.
Bill Gates also shared details of this meeting and said, “I was told that there is someone who believes in digital technology even more than you do. It was hard to believe but when we met, he had his digital equipment – computer – and he had the vision to make the government better by using advanced tools.”
The Microsoft India Development Centre was set up in Hyderabad in 1998.
