Newsom meets with Chief Minister of Karnataka and Director of the Indian Institute of Science

11/30/09 – Today, Mayor Newsom and a team of business and city leaders signed seven memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with San Francisco’s sister city, Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka, in India.

Mayor Newsom met with His Excellency B.S. Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka, along with several of his ministers. The MOUs are intended as a foundation for the sister city relationship, outlining areas where each city can benefit in tangible ways from the partnership. The seven MOUs relate to arts and culture, trade and business, education and research, fashion technology, theater, health care, and the environment.

“Bangalore and San Francisco have emerged as world leaders in the fields of information technology, bio-tech/life sciences and other cutting-edge industries,” said Mayor Newsom. “Today, the majority of the world’s people live in cities. There are tremendous opportunities to share expertise and work together towards a more sustainable urban future.”

Mayor Newsom also visited the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), met with Institute leaders, and discussed the potential of a future MOU agreement with IISC in the area of education and research. The IISC is a premier research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore. It was established in 1909 and is considered a leading Science and Engineering Institute in India. The IISC is also the headquarters for India’s space program.

While at the IISC, Mayor Newsom met with Professor P. Balaram, Director of IISC and other Institute leaders. There was an interactive discussion comparing educational systems in India and the United States, as well as a tour of the Institute.

Bangalore is San Francisco’s 15th Sister City, the first created under Mayor Newsom’s administration. The sister city relationship is intended to strengthen ties between two cities that are considered leaders in biotechnology, medical technology and digital technology, and maintain major cultural, business and education centers.

Bangalore is home to 6 million people, 10,000 different industries, and is among the fastest growing cities in the world. Bangalore, known throughout the world as the “Silicon Valley of India,” and has emerged as a major technological hub serving as the base for over 1,000 information technology and biotechnology firms, including many Fortune 500 companies.