Tue Dec 10 11:07:20 UTC 2024: ## Former Karnataka CM and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Passes Away at 92

**Bengaluru, India –** S.M. Krishna, a towering figure in Indian politics and a key architect of Bengaluru’s transformation into a global tech hub, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 92. Krishna, a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, served as Karnataka’s Chief Minister from 1999 to 2004 and as India’s External Affairs Minister, spanning a remarkable six-decade career in public service.

His tenure as Chief Minister was marked by a focus on public-private partnerships and a “CEO-style” approach to governance, initiatives exemplified by the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BATF). This period saw significant growth in Karnataka’s IT and biotechnology sectors, laying the foundation for Bengaluru’s current status as a global innovation center. However, his administration also faced criticism for an urban-centric focus and challenges such as the high-profile kidnapping of Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar and tensions over Cauvery water sharing with Tamil Nadu.

Beyond his time as Chief Minister, Krishna served as the Governor of Maharashtra and played a key role in Indian diplomacy as External Affairs Minister under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. While largely lauded for his diplomatic skills and international outlook, a rare incident of mistakenly reading another minister’s speech at the UN Security Council remains a notable exception. He later joined the BJP in 2017 after a long career with the Congress party.

Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising his contributions to infrastructure development and governance. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted Krishna’s instrumental role in shaping the state’s IT and biotechnology sectors, remembering him as a “statesman without enemies.” Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw hailed him as a visionary who transformed Karnataka into a global tech leader. His legacy as a pivotal figure in shaping modern India remains undeniable.

Read More