Karnataka Cabinet decides to set up global investment & overseas affairs dept

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved the creation of a new Global Investment and Overseas Affairs Department to strengthen engagement with the state’s diaspora and attract foreign investments, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said.

The proposed department will serve as a single point of contact for non-resident Kannadigas (NRKs), particularly those looking to invest in Karnataka, and coordinate with overseas Indians on welfare-related issues.

It will also track overseas employment opportunities for Kannadigas, coordinate visits by foreign delegations and facilitate meetings with the chief minister and other senior government officials, Parameshwara said.


The department will work to develop partnerships and collaborations with institutions and organisations abroad, including in research and development, innovation and other areas of strategic interest.

The move is aimed at creating a more structured mechanism for engaging with potential overseas investors, as well as reducing the need for investors to navigate multiple government departments.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced plans to establish an Overseas Affairs Department soon after taking charge in June. The proposal was outlined during an early meeting with senior government officials as part of his governance priorities.

Shivakumar had said the department would act as a single-window mechanism for overseas Indians interested in investing in Karnataka and help strengthen the state’s engagement with its global diaspora.

The new department is expected to bring together functions relating to diaspora welfare, investment facilitation and international engagement that are currently handled by different government agencies.

Karnataka has a large overseas population, particularly in the Gulf countries, the US, Europe and other major global markets. The state is also seeking to expand foreign investment beyond its established technology and manufacturing sectors by leveraging its global business networks.