Silai Zaki, Australia’s Consul General in Chennai, India, recently shared on social media, “I wore a saree for the first time in my life and it had to be a #Mangaligiri! Thanks to CM @ncbn garu for appointing me an unofficial brand ambassador!”
Mangalagiri sarees, celebrated for their handicraft weaving, are produced in the town of Mangalagiri in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.
During her recent visit to Visakhapatnam for the CII Summit, Ms Zaki also met Nara Lokesh, MLA of Mangalagiri, Minister in the Andhra Pradesh government, and son of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, to discuss strengthening partnerships with Andhra Pradesh universities in areas such as coastal and maritime research, tropical disease studies, sustainable tourism, and green energy policy.
She proposed joint training programs for youth in environment, healthcare, and water management, and suggested the establishment of a Tropical Water Research Group in the state.
The event also saw the presence of Jodi McKay, former Australian politician and currently Director of the Australia–India CEO Forum, who attended discussions aimed at promoting collaboration and investment opportunities between Andhra Pradesh and Australian businesses.
She noted that the Forum, in collaboration with the Business Council of Australia (BCA), is focused on promoting two-way investment with India, identifying Andhra Pradesh as a “go-ahead” state where Minister Lokesh is playing a key role in driving economic transformation.
The Consulate‑General in Chennai plays a key role in advancing Australia’s strategic, trade, and investment interests across Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. These regions include some of India’s fastest‑growing and economically advanced cities, offering opportunities for Australian businesses in education, research, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare.
Ms Zaki is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, having previously served in Spain and as an adviser to former Foreign Minister Marise Payne. Most recently, she held the role of Acting Assistant Secretary in the Defence Strategic Policy Branch.
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