Bengaluru, 12 Nov

A high-level Russian trade delegation met Karnataka IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday to explore opportunities for technology collaboration ahead of the upcoming Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, officials said.

The delegation, comprising senior officials and representatives from leading Russian IT and technology firms, discussed potential cooperation in Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Smart City Technologies, and Digital Engineering Solutions.

The team was led by Oxana Agafonova, Attache for IT Issues and Electronics at the Russian Trade Commission, Embassy of Russia in India. Agafonova, an expert in smart city solutions, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation, has been instrumental in linking Russian IT companies with India’s growing digital ecosystem.

Minister Kharge said Karnataka welcomed partnerships in market access, collaboration building, and manufacturing. “Potential areas include EDA software, AI-based analytics, urban digital infrastructure, and advanced electronics,” he said, adding that the visit offers an excellent opportunity for joint research, product development, and technology exchange.

The Bengaluru Tech Summit, organised by the Department of Electronics, IT and BT, will be held from 18 to 20 November. Kharge said the state, through its Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), would support Russian firms seeking to collaborate with Karnataka’s startups, industries, and research institutions.

The mission is coordinated by the Russian Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Moscow Export Center, with support from the Government of Moscow.