If Trump does not relent US universities will come to Hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy Friday said that if US President Donald Trump does not grant visas to Indians going abroad for studies or work, US universities and manufacturing units will make a beeline for Telangana.

Speaking at an event in New Delhi, the Chief Minister even compared his predecessor and BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao with Trump, taking decisions based on whims, and pointed out that he was driven out by the people.

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Addressing the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), Reddy did not name K Chandrasekhar Rao, popularly known as KCR, but aimed a jibe at him. He said, “Telangana also had a Trump, but people drove him away. You can’t think of something in your dreams at night and just implement it the next day. It is not going to affect our economy; it is going to affect the US economy. If they are reluctant to give visas and admissions to Indians, all those institutes are going to come to India. I spoke to Harvard, I spoke to Stanford. I have initiated talks. Next month I am going to join Harvard to learn something. I have invited them.” Telangana and Andhra Pradesh send a vast number of students and professionals to the US every year, and ever since Trump came to power, there have been increasing apprehensions about getting a US visa.

He then said other universities have also expressed interest in coming to Hyderabad. “The London School of Economics and Purdue (University), also wanted to come to Telangana. If Trump is not going to allow Indians, those universities will come to our place,” said Reddy. He promised to make Hyderabad India’s first city to mitigate risks from the climate crisis, including drought and urban flooding.

On the sidelines of the PAFI conclave, Reddy held discussions with the governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, with both leaders agreeing to systematic cooperation and bilateral exchange in sectors such as software technologies, life sciences, urban transit, and movies. Reddy also invited universities in New Jersey to set up offshore campuses in Hyderabad.