Russian trade team meets Karnataka IT minister to explore opportunities for tech collaboration
Bengaluru (PTI): Ahead of the Bengaluru Tech Summit, a high-level Russian trade delegation met Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday here to explore opportunities for tech collaboration with the state, officials said.
The delegation comprising senior officials and representatives from leading Russian IT and technology firms will explore opportunities for technology collaboration between Russian and Indian companies in Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Smart City Technologies, and Digital Engineering Solutions, they said.
According to an official statement, the delegation leader, Oxana Agafonova, Attache for IT Issues and Electronics, Russian Trade Commission, Embassy of Russia in India, is an expert in smart city solutions, artificial intelligence, video analytics, and digital transformation.
Agafonova actively connects Russian IT companies with India's fast-growing digital ecosystem and promotes Russian IT and electronics collaborations internationally.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Kharge said, "Karnataka is happy to welcome and support all the companies who are looking at market access, partnership or collaboration building or even setting up their manufacturing units here."
According to him, potential areas for collaboration include EDA software, AI-based analytics, urban digital infrastructure, and advanced electronics, offering strong opportunities for joint research, product development, and technology exchange.
"The delegation's visit ahead of Bengaluru Tech Summit offers an excellent opportunity to explore partnerships between Russian technology companies and Karnataka's startups, industries, and academic institutions," he said.
Bengaluru Tech Summit organised by the Department of Electronics, IT and BT will be held from Nov 18-20, officials said.
Kharge assured the state's support to Russian companies looking to establish or expand their presence in Karnataka.
"Through the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), the Government of Karnataka is committed to facilitating partnerships with the Centre of excellence, academic institutions & research institutions and conducting meetings during the Bengaluru Tech Summit," he added.
Karnataka is the largest and the most advanced technology hub in the country with a thriving ecosystem encompassing semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart infrastructure technologies, the statement said.
"The trade mission is coordinated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Russia and the Moscow Export Center, with support from the Government of Moscow," it added.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
