Backlash over Bill Gates’s Andhra Pradesh reception amid Epstein Files fury

By
Andhra Samachar News Bureau
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Vijayawada, Febraury 17, 2026: Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and Chairman of the Gates Foundation, was on Monday warmly received by the Andhra Pradesh government. This was, however, met with criticism as Gates has been accused of wrongdoing due to his communications in the Epstein Files. The American tech billionaire was also accused of “treating India like a lab” for his products.

Gates has denied allegations linked to the Epstein Files as “absolutely absurd and completely false”.

Gates was welcomed by Nara Lokesh and other Cabinet colleagues at Gannavaram Airport. “Welcome to Amaravati, Mr Bill Gates. It was a pleasure to receive the Chair of the Gates Foundation at Gannavaram Airport today,” Lokesh said in a post on ‘X’.

Gates went to the state secretariat for discussions on strengthening cooperation in health, agriculture, education and technology-driven governance initiatives, according to a PTI report.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu posted on X, retracing his ties with Gates to 1997 when he presented his vision for IT in the state.

“What began as a conversation about building a technology ecosystem back then has now evolved into a broader mission of using innovation to transform governance and improve lives at scale,” posted Naidu, adding that he had on Monday presented his “vision for Swarna Andhra 2047”.

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