DK Shivakumar meets PM Modi in Delhi, seeks support for Karnataka's development priorities

New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and held discussions on key development priorities concerning the state, including infrastructure, investments ,urban mobility, irrigation, innovation and welfare initiatives.

Shivakumar, who arrived in the national capital to participate in the 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, described the meeting as his first official interaction with the Prime Minister in New Delhi after assuming office as Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister.

Sharing details on social media platform X, Shivakumar said the discussion focused on Karnataka's growth agenda and issues that directly impact the lives of citizens. He reiterated Karnataka's commitment to playing a stronger role in India's economic growth and expressed confidence in working closely with the Union Government under the spirit of cooperative federalism.

“Karnataka has always been a major contributor to the country's development. I reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen that role. We look forward to working closely with the Central Government to accelerate development, attract greater investment and fulfil the aspirations of the people of Karnataka,” Shivakumar stated.

Addressing the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, Shivakumar emphasized that states should not be viewed merely as implementing agencies but as centres of innovation, growth and development.

He said the vision of comprehensive human development can be achieved only through cooperative federalism, collaborative governance and collective national effort. According to him, the Karnataka government's administrative philosophy is centered on improving the quality of life of citizens through people-centric policies.

Highlighting the state's flagship guarantee schemes, Shivakumar said several states have adopted similar welfare models after witnessing their impact. He argued that these initiatives have significantly improved human capital and social welfare indicators across Karnataka.

The Deputy Chief Minister also raised concerns regarding the growing infrastructure burden on Bengaluru. He noted that nearly 40 percent of the city's residents have migrated from other states, making Bengaluru a national economic hub that serves people beyond Karnataka.

Given this demographic reality, he urged the Centre to provide greater financial and infrastructural support for the city's expansion and modernization. He stressed that strengthening Bengaluru's infrastructure would benefit not only Karnataka but also the country's overall economic growth.

Apart from meeting the Prime Minister, Shivakumar also held discussions with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. During the meeting, he submitted a memorandum outlining Karnataka's financial and development requirements.

Karnataka Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh were also present during the discussions.

The 11th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and witnessed participation from Chief Ministers of 28 states, Lieutenant Governors and administrators from across the country.

According to NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri, the meeting is among the most important policy forums in the country, chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by top state leaders.

He said the deliberations began around 10 am and continued until 6.30 pm, with participants offering valuable suggestions and policy inputs on national development priorities. The Prime Minister also delivered an extensive address during the meeting, focusing on collaborative governance and the country's long-term development roadmap.