S. M. Krishna, Politician
Politician

S. M. Krishna

Born 1 May 1932 · Karnataka — Died 10 December 2024

Serving as India's Minister of External Affairs from 2009 to 2012.

Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna was an Indian politician who served as Minister of External Affairs of India from 2009 to October 2012. He was the 10th Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004 and the 19th Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008. S. M.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

In 1961, John F. Kennedy personally acknowledged S. M. Krishna’s campaign efforts in the US presidential election with a letter, a rare recognition for an Indian student overseas.

The Story

1
In 1960, while studying law in the United States as a Fulbright Scholar, S. M. Krishna campaigned for John F. Kennedy among Indian American communities, earning a personal letter of appreciation from the then President in 1961.
2
🌏 Returning to India, Krishna won his first election in 1962 as an independent MLA from Maddur, defeating a Congress candidate endorsed by Jawaharlal Nehru, marking an unusual start for a future Congress stalwart.
3In 1968, he won a Lok Sabha by-election from Mandya as a Praja Socialist Party candidate, later reconciling PSP with Congress, reflecting his early political flexibility and negotiation skills.
4🎓 Between 1983 and 1985, Krishna served as Union Minister of State for Industry and then Finance, representing India in United Nations delegations and Commonwealth seminars, bridging domestic policy with international diplomacy.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2023
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1960, while studying in the US, Krishna campaigned for John F. Kennedy and received a personal letter of appreciation from Kennedy in 1961, highlighting his early international political engagement.

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
S. M. Krishna as Governor of Maharashtra at University of Mumbai's Golden Jubilee event (2006).
S. M. Krishna as Governor of Maharashtra at University of Mumbai's Golden Jubilee event (2006).
2006
S. M. Krishna greeting Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates in New Delhi, India (2010).
Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna meeting Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg in New Delhi (2010).
S. M. Krishna meeting Foreign Secretary William Hague in London (2011).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Somanahalli, Mandya, Karnataka
Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna was born into a Vokkaliga family in a village in Mandya district, laying the roots for his future political career.
1932
⚡
Career
Campaigned for JFK in the US
While a Fulbright Scholar in the US, Krishna campaigned for John F. Kennedy among Indian American voters during the 1960 presidential election.
1960
⚡
Career
Elected as Independent MLA from Maddur
Krishna won his first election as an independent candidate, defeating a Congress candidate backed by Nehru.
1962
⚡
Career
Won Lok Sabha by-election from Mandya
Elected as a Praja Socialist Party candidate, marking his entry into national politics.
1968
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Career
Became Chief Minister of Karnataka
Krishna’s tenure focused on infrastructure and IT development, laying foundations for Bengaluru’s rise.
1999
⚡
Career
Appointed Governor of Maharashtra
Krishna served until 2008, overseeing politically sensitive issues including the dance bar ban.
2004
⚡
Career
Sworn in as External Affairs Minister
He joined the Union Cabinet under PM Manmohan Singh, representing India in global diplomacy until 2012.
2009
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Vibhushan
Received India’s second highest civilian award recognizing his decades-long public service.
2023
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Krishna defeated a Congress candidate endorsed by Jawaharlal Nehru in his first election in 1962 as an independent MLA from Maddur, a rare political upset at the time.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He served as Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly from 1989 to 1992, a role that demands impartiality and parliamentary expertise, before becoming Chief Minister.

03 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Krishna was instrumental in approving the controversial dance bar ban during his tenure as Governor of Maharashtra (2004–2008), a politically sensitive decision in the state.

No quote recorded for S. M. Krishna yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
SM Krishna on talks with Pakistan, Pillai controversy
More from this archive
SM Krishna on talks with Pakistan, Pillai controversy
01
SM Krishna on talks with Pakistan, Pillai controversy
HILLARY CLINTON, SM KRISHNA DISCUSS MUMBAI ATTACK
02
HILLARY CLINTON, SM KRISHNA DISCUSS MUMBAI ATTACK
BJP Byte on S M Krishna: Shri Ravi Shankar: 21.01.2012
03
BJP Byte on S M Krishna: Shri Ravi Shankar: 21.01.2012
SM Krishna | Bangarappa | DK Shivakumar | R Ashok | Karnataka Legislative Assembly | Karnataka TV
04
SM Krishna | Bangarappa | DK Shivakumar | R Ashok | Karnataka Legislative Assembly | Karnataka TV
ನಮ್ಮ ತೀರ್ಥಹಳ್ಳಿಯ ಅಳಿಯ ಎಸ್. ಎಂ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಸರ್..! | SM Krishna | Karnataka TV
05
ನಮ್ಮ ತೀರ್ಥಹಳ್ಳಿಯ ಅಳಿಯ ಎಸ್. ಎಂ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಸರ್..! | SM Krishna | Karnataka TV
SM Krishna | Vatal Nagaraj | Karnataka TV
06
SM Krishna | Vatal Nagaraj | Karnataka TV
SM Krishna | Motamma | Karnataka TV
07
SM Krishna | Motamma | Karnataka TV
LIVE | SMK ಅಂತಿಮ ದರ್ಶನ ಪಡೆದ ಗಣ್ಯರು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದೇನು.? | SM Krishna | NM Suresh | Karnataka TV
08
LIVE | SMK ಅಂತಿಮ ದರ್ಶನ ಪಡೆದ ಗಣ್ಯರು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದೇನು.? | SM Krishna | NM Suresh | Karnataka TV
50 ವರ್ಷದ ಸ್ನೇಹ, ಕಣ್ಣೀರಾಕಿದ ಆಪ್ತ | SM Krishna | Karnataka TV
09
50 ವರ್ಷದ ಸ್ನೇಹ, ಕಣ್ಣೀರಾಕಿದ ಆಪ್ತ | SM Krishna | Karnataka TV
ರಾಜ್ಯ ಕಂಡಂಥಾ ಅಪ್ರತಿಮ ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿ | ಅಜಾತ ಶತ್ರು..! | SM Krishna | Karnataka TV
10
ರಾಜ್ಯ ಕಂಡಂಥಾ ಅಪ್ರತಿಮ ರಾಜಕಾರಣಿ | ಅಜಾತ ಶತ್ರು..! | SM Krishna | Karnataka TV

🌱 What changed because of them

S. M. Krishna’s tenure as Chief Minister catalyzed Bengaluru’s emergence as a global IT powerhouse by fostering private investment and infrastructure growth, setting the stage for India’s technology revolution. His diplomatic roles, including External Affairs Minister and UN delegate, helped position India as a more assertive player on the world stage during the early 21st century. His governance in Maharashtra demonstrated his capacity to handle complex political challenges beyond Karnataka, influencing administrative practices in diverse regions.

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