Karnataka to Host Diplomatic Meet in New Delhi to Foster Global Tech Partnerships

Karnataka Government Hosts 'Bridge to Bengaluru 2026 - Dialogue with Diplomats' in New Delhi

The Karnataka government will host 'Bridge to Bengaluru 2026 - Dialogue with Diplomats' in New Delhi on April 17, a premier event aimed at fostering collaboration across emerging technology sectors. The event will be attended by key state leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge, and industry leader Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.

Global Participation Expected

Participation is expected from around 75 countries, with the platform serving as a global showcase for the next phase of Karnataka's Global Innovation Alliance (GIA 2.0). This initiative brings together governments, diplomats, startups, industry leaders, and research institutions to drive innovation and collaboration.

Curtain-Raiser to Bengaluru Tech Summit

The event will act as a precursor to the 29th Bengaluru Tech Summit, scheduled to take place from November 17 to 19, 2026, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) under the theme 'AI & Beyond'. Partner countries are expected to participate through delegations, startups, academia, and investor networks.

Karnataka's Global Innovation Alliance

Karnataka's Global Innovation Alliance spans over 40 countries, has supported more than 2,000 startups, and enabled over 60 collaborations, emerging as a key state-led innovation platform. Building on this, GIA 2.0 aims to deepen sectoral partnerships, expand global market access, and deliver measurable outcomes across emerging technologies.

Comparison of Key Statistics

| Year | Countries Participating | Number of Collaborations | Startups Supported | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025 | Over 35 | Over 60 | More than 2,000 | | 2026 (Expected) | Around 75 | - | - |

Expanding Engagement and Investments

Karnataka's outreach under GIA has evolved into a continuous model, with initiatives such as GIA Mixers, webinars, and Market Access Programmes across countries including the UAE, Germany, Japan, and Australia. This engagement has translated into partnerships with countries such as the United States, Israel, and the UAE, along with collaborations with institutions like Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University.

Key Developments and Investments

Key developments include a Europe-Bengaluru innovation corridor, GITEX AI India in 2027, and an MoU with NürnbergMesse India. Thales has also set up a global R&D centre in Bengaluru. Karnataka has secured Rs 5,500 crore in investments and 7,200 jobs from a US roadshow, along with over Rs 12,500 crore from Global Capability Centres in 2025, besides attracting major semiconductor investments from companies such as Lam Research, Foxconn, and Applied Materials.

'Bridge to Bengaluru' and Bengaluru Tech Summit

'Bridge to Bengaluru’ has become a key pillar of Karnataka’s global strategy. Its 2025 edition saw participation from over 35 countries and led to sustained engagements. Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 recorded over 92,000 attendees from 57 countries, facilitating nearly 1,000 B2B meetings, over 50 product launches, and key policy announcements, along with more than Rs 600 crore in deep tech commitments.