S.M. Krishna, former External Affairs Minister of India, died Tuesday morning at 92 from an undisclosed illness. His contributions have been so significant in Karnataka’s development, as well as in Indian diplomacy, that he is known. Karnataka Minister and Twitter board member Priyank Kharge says Krishna’s corporate governance approach and vision for Bengaluru as global city in his condolence message on X (formerly Twitter).
While Chief minister for Karnataka from 1999 till 2004, Krishna saw his leadership usher progress in the state, in particular on positioning Bengaluru as a technology hub. Besides, he was also State’s first Deputy Chief Minister under Veerappa Moily from 1993 to 1994 and former Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly from 1989 to 1993.
Krishna was External Affairs Minister at the national level from 2009 to 2012. While he was here he was working to anchor India economically and energywise with countries like Tajikistan. He became the Governor of Maharashtra in 2004 till 2008.
Krishna started his political journey with the Congress party for about five decades. But he quit in January 2017, saying the party was heading in the wrong direction and was sidelining experienced leaders. Following that, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in March 2017. He resigned from active politics for age based health causes in January 2023.
Krishna has seen a tragic chapter in his personal life, his son in law, V.G. Siddhartha, founder of Cafe Coffee Day passed away. Krishna was survived by wife Prema and two daughters including Malavika Krishna.
His passing marks the end of a very long, very distinguished career in public service, and governance; one marked by brilliant service to Karnataka and indeed the whole nation.
