B.C. expands India trade ties with Karnataka tech partnership
British Columbia has signed a letter of intent with the state government of Karnataka in India, setting out areas for collaboration across life sciences, biotechnology and health technology.
Ravi Kahlon, B.C.'s Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, visited Bengaluru, dubbed the "Silicon Valley of India", as part of a wider provincial trade mission to the Asian country. The province described the city as India's largest innovation centre and a focal point for the country's technology economy.
The letter of intent set out a shared interest in work spanning life sciences, biotechnology, medical technology, medical devices and digital health. The document also referenced plans for exchanges and partnerships between the two innovation ecosystems.
"B.C.'s technology and life sciences businesses are second to none, and in the face of U.S. tariffs, we are strengthening our economy by deepening trade and investment relationships with diverse, reliable partners," said Kahlon.
Life sciences focus
The province positioned the agreement around collaboration in biotech and biopharma, as well as activity in medical technology and digital health fields. It also cited knowledge-sharing through workshops, delegations, and policy dialogues among research institutions, startups, and industry stakeholders.
The trade mission activity included meetings with government and business leaders in Karnataka, including the chairman of a local life sciences-related tech company and a member of the local parliament.
Life Sciences BC, an industry group in the province, framed India as a market with scale for commercial partnerships and international growth. "Global collaboration drives commercial success in life sciences," said Wendy Hurlburt, President and CEO of Life Sciences BC. "Strengthening trade and investment ties with high-growth markets like India, one of the world's largest economies, is critical to accelerating innovation, scaling our companies internationally and ensuring the long-term competitiveness of Canada's life-sciences sector."
Kahlon held roundtables in Bengaluru with British Columbia companies that operate in India. The province discussed business strategy with Telus Digital Services, Lululemon, EarthDaily Analytics and Yactraq Online. The B.C. government said these leading firms employ more than 1,400 people in the city.
The trip also included a separate roundtable with Indian technology companies. The province said it used the session to position British Columbia in international technology and innovation networks. It also used the event to promote Web Summit's Vancouver event in May 2026.
British Columbia said its technology sector includes more than 12,000 tech companies. It also cited activity in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and clean technology. The province described information technology as its top investment sector in India.
British Columbia currently operates four trade and investment offices in India, attached to Canadian missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chandigarh. The province said it expects further engagement around research partnerships, investment relationships and a potential delegation from Bengaluru to Web Summit Vancouver.