Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, Piyush Goyal drum up 31st CII Summit in Vizag
Synopsis
In a moment that broke the formality of a major investment summit, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu grabbed a traditional drum, handed one each to Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and Union Minister Piyush Goyal, and the three played together at the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam — before getting to the business of trade, technology, and trust.
Key Takeaways
Chandrababu Naidu , Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan , and Union Minister Piyush Goyal played drums together at the 31st CII Partnership Summit on 12 November 2026 .
The summit is held at the Engineering College Grounds, Andhra University , Visakhapatnam .
The two-day event is themed 'Trade, Technology, Trust and Thought Leadership in a Changing Global Landscape' .
It is jointly organised by CII , the Government of Andhra Pradesh , and DPIIT .
Nara Lokesh posted on X: 'A big day for Vizag!
The world is here as we launch the 31st CII Partnership Summit.'
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal kicked off the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, 12 November 2026 with an unexpected cultural moment — the three leaders picked up traditional drums and played alongside performing artists at the Engineering College Grounds of Andhra University. The two-day summit, themed 'Trade, Technology, Trust and Thought Leadership in a Changing Global Landscape', is one of the marquee annual investment and industry gatherings on India's east coast.
The Moment That Stole the Show
During a walkabout of the summit venue, CM Naidu picked up a drum from one of the performing artists and invited Pawan Kalyan and Piyush Goyal to do the same. The three leaders then played the instruments together, drawing cheers from those present. Beyond drumming, Naidu and Goyal also tried their hand at painting at the cultural exhibition stalls dotting the venue perimeter.
Summit Inauguration and Key Attendees
Ahead of the formal inaugural session, the leaders toured various exhibition stalls showcasing traditional artworks and cultural exhibits. The inaugural ceremony drew a wide cross-section of government and industry figures, including Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Andhra Pradesh HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Industries and Food Processing Minister T.G. Bharath, Roads and Buildings Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy, Health and Family Welfare Minister Satyakumar Yadav, and Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad. Several prominent industry representatives also attended the opening event.
What Nara Lokesh Said on X
Minister Nara Lokesh marked the occasion on social media platform X, writing: 'A big day for Vizag! The world is here as we launch the 31st CII Partnership Summit.' The post underscored the state government's intent to project Visakhapatnam as a global investment destination.
About the Summit
The 31st CII Partnership Summit is jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Union government. The event brings together policymakers, global business leaders, and industry bodies to deliberate on trade corridors, technology collaboration, and investment opportunities — themes that align closely with Andhra Pradesh's post-bifurcation push to attract large-scale capital. Visakhapatnam, increasingly positioned as the state's commercial capital, provides a symbolic backdrop for these ambitions.
Point of View
Culturally rooted, and bullish about Visakhapatnam's global moment. For a state still rebuilding its economic identity after bifurcation, the CII Partnership Summit is less a conference and more a statement of intent. What matters beyond the symbolism is whether the investment commitments made over the two days translate into on-ground capital flows — something past summits across Indian states have struggled to convert at scale.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam?
The 31st CII Partnership Summit is a two-day national investment and industry event held on 12-13 November 2026 at the Engineering College Grounds, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. It is jointly organised by CII, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and DPIIT, and focuses on trade, technology, and investment under a global theme.
Why did Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, and Piyush Goyal play drums at the summit?
During a pre-inauguration walkabout of the cultural exhibits at the venue, CM Naidu picked up a drum from a performing artist and invited Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and Union Minister Piyush Goyal to join him. The impromptu moment drew wide attention before the formal opening of the summit.
Who else attended the 31st CII Partnership Summit inauguration?
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, AP HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Industries Minister T.G. Bharath, Roads Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy, Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav, Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad, and several industry leaders.
What is the theme of the 2026 CII Partnership Summit?
The summit's theme is 'Trade, Technology, Trust and Thought Leadership in a Changing Global Landscape', reflecting a focus on India's global trade positioning and technology collaboration opportunities.
What did Nara Lokesh say about the CII Summit?
AP Minister Nara Lokesh posted on X: 'A big day for Vizag! The world is here as we launch the 31st CII Partnership Summit.' The post highlighted the state government's efforts to position Visakhapatnam as a global investment hub.
