S.M Krishna

S.M Krishna

S.M Krishna is the Indian Minister for External Affairs and a member of the Indian Parliament from Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha. He was the Chief Minster of Karnataka form 1999 to 2004 and the Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008 and assumed charge as the External Affairs Minister on 23 May 2009.

During his tenure as External Affairs minister, Krishna has sought to improve relations with a number of countries. After the reports of attacks on Indian students in Australia, S.M Krishna met Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2009 and both parties agreed to a multitude of remedial measures that should be undertaken to resolve the issue. On June 3, 2010, Krishna also attended the first Cabinet level India- U.S strategic dialogue with Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, during which both countries agreed to significantly expand the breadth of their collaboration across a range of areas and to deepen ties. They agreed on a number of issues that included counter terrorism, non proliferation, trade and investment, education and empowerment of women. Minister S.M Krishna met Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2009 and both parties agreed to several remedial measures that were undertaken to resolve the issues.

From June 17-19 2010, S.M Krishna also visited South Korea with a view to strengthen trade and bilateral relations, improve cooperation in the defence sector and explore a civilian nuclear agreement.