Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has stated that the world views India through Bengaluru. Shivakumar made this claim while attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. He invited global industry leaders and entrepreneurs to invest in Bengaluru, calling it a "city of the future" due to its strong ecosystem, skilled workforce, and investor-friendly governance.

During the WEF, Shivakumar highlighted Bengaluru's strengths, noting that the city is home to nearly 500 Fortune companies and possesses a deep talent pool in sectors like aerospace, information technology, and medical sciences. He emphasized that Karnataka has a robust healthcare education base, producing approximately 150,000 healthcare professionals annually through its 70 medical colleges.

Shivakumar also drew comparisons between Bengaluru and other global technology hubs, pointing out that Bengaluru has approximately 2.5 million engineers compared to California's 1.3 million. He stressed that this talent pool is a significant strength for Bengaluru, attracting global leaders and investors.

Furthermore, Shivakumar addressed infrastructure development in Bengaluru, stating that the city's metro network will expand to 153 km by next year. He also noted the city's strong public transport system, which includes 6,000 buses, with 2,500 being electric. He assured investors that Karnataka offers efficient governance and full cooperation.

In addition to Bengaluru, Shivakumar mentioned that the state government is focused on strengthening transport connectivity in second- and third-tier cities within Karnataka. He also highlighted that global investors are showing interest in mobility work and development in these cities.

Shivakumar expressed optimism about India's future, stating that the country is preparing for the next 25 years of growth and that its urban population is expected to rise to 50 percent. He reiterated his invitation to global investors, emphasizing Bengaluru's excellent weather, culture, and world-class human resources.

While in Davos, Shivakumar met with various foreign government leaders from the US, Europe, and Saudi Arabia. He identified areas of interest for foreign investment as GCC, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, startups, and healthcare. Shivakumar stated that Karnataka's economy is strong compared to other states in India, contributing a significant amount in taxes.