Karnataka CM bats for deeper India-US partnership, pitches Bengaluru as hub for technology and innovation
Bengaluru, Sept 6:
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday called for deeper India-U.S. collaboration in technology, education, innovation, research, investment and culture, saying Bengaluru and Silicon Valley could give a powerful technological dimension to the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Addressing an event marking the 250th anniversary of American independence in the presence of U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Shivakumar said the relationship between India and the United States was evolving beyond traditional government-to-government engagement, with universities, scientists, entrepreneurs, startups and businesses playing an increasingly important role.
“Washington and New Delhi may guide the strategic partnership between our countries. But Bengaluru and Silicon Valley give it a powerful technological dimension,” he said.
Shivakumar said Karnataka was keen to work closely with the U.S. to expand cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and scientific research.
“Karnataka’s ambition is to be among those who shape, build and lead the technologies of tomorrow,” he said.
Highlighting the depth of economic ties, the Chief Minister said more than 1,000 American companies operate in Karnataka, accounting for nearly half of the total American corporate presence in India. More than 80,000 American citizens also live in Bengaluru, he said.
He said the strength of India-U.S. relations lay not only in commerce and investment but also in the exchange of knowledge, ideas and talent.
“The strongest connection between our two countries will be built not only through commerce, but through knowledge, ideas and innovation,” Shivakumar said.
The Chief Minister said Karnataka was creating an ecosystem to support the next generation of technologies and investments. The state is developing KWIN City and a Semiconductor Park and is planning an AI Tech Park, including an AI Hub and India’s first Public Sector AI University, he said.
He also highlighted Karnataka’s growing presence in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence. Referring to Foxconn, which manufactures Apple’s iPhones, Shivakumar said the company has its largest presence in India in Bengaluru. He added that the state’s Aerospace Park was expanding.
Shivakumar said Bengaluru’s evolution into a global technology and education hub had strengthened its role in India’s international engagement.
“Narayana Murthy played an important role in shaping Bengaluru’s global journey, including his association with BIAL,” he said.
Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s observation that while people once travelled to Delhi and Mumbai, “today, the world comes to Bengaluru”, Shivakumar said the city had become a major global gateway to India.
“The world looks at India through Bengaluru,” he said.
He recalled that after the September 11 attacks, several of his friends had predicted that Bengaluru would emerge as one of the world’s most important cities and advised him to focus on strengthening education and building an ecosystem where global talent could feel at home.
“Today, we can proudly say that Bengaluru has emerged as a global education hub, with one of the highest concentrations of international schools in the country,” he said.
Calling for stronger educational and cultural exchanges, Shivakumar said greater interaction among universities, institutions and young people in India and the U.S. would further strengthen bilateral ties.
He also invited American companies and institutions to explore investment opportunities in Karnataka, particularly under the state’s Beyond Bengaluru programme, offering access to talent, research capabilities, industrial infrastructure and a government willing to partner with investors.
He said Indo-US engagement should facilitate wider interaction between people, universities, research institutions and businesses of the two countries.
Referring to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey, Shivakumar said it had inspired millions of young Indians and demonstrated what could be achieved when nations combined their talent, science and technology.
“Karnataka’s strength is its people, its talent and its openness to the world. And this is only the beginning,” he said.
Congratulating the people of the United States on the 250th anniversary of American independence, Shivakumar said India, the U.S. and Karnataka could combine their strengths in science, technology and innovation to build a more prosperous future.
