Karnataka stepping forward to become world's 'Capital of Innovation': CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said Karnataka is already India's IT capital, and it is now stepping forward to become the world's 'Capital of Innovation'.
He said Karnataka ranks second nationally in attracting foreign direct investment, and remains among the nation's leading industrial states.
The Chief Minister said this while delivering his address at the 79th Independence Day celebrations here.
"Our government has never lagged in prioritising industrial growth. To manage and develop the state's largest industrial regions into global manufacturing hubs with world-class infrastructure, 18 industrial areas covering 44,166 acres have been declared Special Investment Regions.
Alongside, we continue to encourage small industries," Siddaramaiah said.
He said, investors have expressed interest in bringing in over Rs 10 lakh crore in investments. Out of this, 48 per cent has already been processed under Single Window IT Platform.
Karnataka remains among the nation's leading industrial states, with the manufacturing sector contributing 23.6 per cent to the state's GSDP, and the state ranks second nationally in attracting foreign direct investment, he said.
"A new Tourism Policy has been implemented to boost tourism in the state by developing world-class infrastructure and fostering entrepreneurship in the sector."
Noting that the government has rolled out multiple programmes for the welfare of labourers, particularly in the unorganised sector, the CM said, "We will be soon implementing the Karnataka Labour Policy to ensure job security."
The state has made significant achievements in the services sector, which contributes 66.7 per cent to our GSDP, he said, "We are not only safeguarding the interests of all workers engaged in this sector, but enacting 'Platform-Based Gig Workers Bill' for the welfare of over five lakh gig workers."
Under this Bill, the government is introducing an insurance scheme providing coverage of up to Rs 4 lakh for these workers, he added.
The government is undertaking various initiatives for job creation, Siddaramaiah said and added that at Invest Karnataka-2025 (Global Investors Meet), held in February 2025, a total of 3,250 entrepreneurs participated.
"We signed agreements with 98 companies for investment of Rs 6,23,970 crore, and 1,101 companies have obtained necessary approvals for investments worth Rs 4,03,533 crore. These initiatives are expected to generate over 6 lakh jobs," he said.
In 2023-24, Karnataka attracted Rs 54,427 crore in foreign investment, ranking third in the country, Siddarmaiah said.
"In 2024-25, we have attracted Rs 56,030 crore, moving up to second place nationally," he added.
Stating that Karnataka is at the forefront in quantum technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology, Siddaramaiah said the country's first quantum computer is in Karnataka. "Our Karnataka Quantum Mission will shape the future of science."
"We are not merely creating jobs. We are creating ideas, inventions, and innovations that change lives. These ideas are reaching far beyond our borders," he added.
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West Asia: India supplied 22,000 MT of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March, says MEA
New Delhi (PTI): Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, India has supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March and has received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements, the MEA said on Friday.
At his weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in his response to a query related to requests received from India's neighbouring countries for fuel amid the West Asia situation, also said that India is "finalising a government-to-government agreement" for the supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing energy security of Mauritius.
The conflict in West Asia has now stretched to nearly 50 days, with global ramifications.
"So, we have received requests from our neighbouring countries for supply of fuel, and these are being looked into, keeping in mind our own requirements, availability and refining capacity," Jaiswal told reporters.
He further said India has "supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March 2026, and further supplies have continued this month as well".
"You would recall that last month we had supplied 38 metric tonnes of petroleum products to Sri Lanka as well," he added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Mauritius last week, the MEA spokesperson said, adding, "We are finalising a government-to-government agreement for supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing the energy security of Mauritius".
As far as Nepal is concerned, there is an existing arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation to supply petroleum products to Nepal as per its requirements. The supplies are continuing without any interruption, he said.
Energy supplies to Bhutan also continue according to the existing arrangement.
"As I had mentioned earlier, we have received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements. We continue to be in touch with them in this regard, and are considering the request keeping in mind our own domestic requirements and availability of fuel.
"I would also like to add that our neighbouring country governments have expressed appreciation for the uninterrupted supply, fuel supply to them during the West Asian conflict," Jaiswal said.
Global oil and gas prices surged after Iran restricted the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG trade.
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