In a move to strengthen its global innovation ecosystem, the Karnataka government is set to introduce an upgraded Global Innovation Alliance (GIA 2.0) on April 17 in Delhi. The announcement will be made at its flagship outreach platform, Bridge to Bengaluru 2026, also known as the ‘Dialogue with Diplomats’.
The event is expected to host representatives from over 80 countries, including ambassadors, high commissioners, and trade officials, making it a key platform for international engagement.
Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge said the new phase will focus on execution at scale rather than just policy intent. “We are going to ensure that it is no more just a policy, but we will be implementing it on a scale… we will become the gateway for innovations from other countries through Karnataka,” he said.
The ‘Dialogue with Diplomats’ aims to directly connect the state with global embassies and trade bodies, which often guide companies exploring investments in India. “So, the idea was to showcase Karnataka to the world… There are trade commissions, investment offices, and, more importantly, diplomats. We want to show them the potential of Karnataka,” Kharge added.
GIA 2.0 will introduce sector-specific “innovation corridors” with partner countries, moving away from broad collaborations. “For example, one of the countries is talking to us about cyber security… California is talking about a start-up corridor. So this is very sector-specific; it will not be a sister city concept,” he said.
The initiative will also focus on expanding market access for startups and small businesses, while positioning Karnataka as a key entry point for global companies into India.
According to the government, ongoing global engagement has already delivered results. “We have ensured that only in GCCs, we have had more than ₹12,500 crore investment. More than 30 new GCCs have come in in the last year because of our direct interactions,” Kharge noted.
Karnataka’s IT exports have reached ₹6.5 lakh crore, reinforcing its position as a global technology hub. The state has also built partnerships with global platforms like VivaTech in France, GITEX in Dubai, and Embedded World in Germany.
The April 17 event will also serve as a lead-up to the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026, scheduled for November 17–19, where greater international participation is expected.
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