Karnataka to strengthen collaboration with Chile across digital services, startups, talent exchange

Karnataka plans to strengthen its collaboration across digital services, startups, and talent exchange with Chile, state IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge has said.

The minister spoke on the initiative at a high-level meeting with Chilean representatives, led by the country's foreign affairs minister Francisco Perez Mackenna on Thursday, the IT/BT department said in a statement.

Both sides explored opportunities to build partnerships beyond traditional sectors, focussing on innovation-led growth, talent exchange, and market access, the statement added.


The meeting follows a letter of intent signed between the state and Chile at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, which established a framework for collaboration across startups, emerging technologies, research, and skill development under the Global Innovation Alliance.

"Karnataka today is a global hub for deeptech, AI, biotech, aerospace, and advanced research, backed by one of the strongest talent pipelines in the world," said Kharge in the statement. "We are keen to work with Chile on startup exchanges, market access programmes, and building joint innovation corridors, including R&D centres, incubators, and accelerators."

The delegation included Chile vice minister of commerce Paula Estevez Weinstein, ambassador Juan Angulo, and Felipe Lopeandia, chief negotiator for the India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, along with senior government and industry representatives.

"Chile's position as a gateway to Latin America presents a significant opportunity for our startups to scale globally," said Mackenna. "We see strong potential to work together across clean energy, digital technologies, and emerging industries, while also strengthening Chile's role as a bridge between India and Latin America."

Discussions also covered renewable energy opportunities, including green hydrogen and sustainable industrial innovation, the statement said.