Riyadh, June 5: The Karnataka NRI Forum Saudi Arabia has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to establish a dedicated Karnataka NRI Secretariat, describing it as a historic milestone for Kannadigas living abroad and the culmination of years of sustained efforts by the global NRI community.

In a statement issued from Riyadh, Forum President Zakaria Jokatte expressed happiness over the government’s move and congratulated Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for taking what he termed a landmark step towards strengthening ties between Karnataka and its overseas diaspora.

Jokatte said the Forum had been consistently advocating for the creation of a dedicated NRI Secretariat since 2018, when Dr. Arati Krishna visited Dammam and initiated discussions with members of the Karnataka diaspora in Saudi Arabia regarding institutional support for non-resident Kannadigas.

He acknowledged the contributions of Forum office-bearers Firoz Kalladka, Satish Bajal, K.H. Rafeeq Soorinje and Ayaz Kaikamba, along with the Riyadh team led by Santhosh Shetty and the Jeddah team headed by Dr. Abdul Shakeel, for their continued efforts in pursuing the initiative.

The Forum also conveyed special appreciation to Dr. Arati Krishna for her role in promoting engagement between the Karnataka government and overseas Kannadigas, and credited Chief Minister Shivakumar for translating the long-standing demand into government action.

Jokatte further thanked community leaders and supporters, including Sheikh Karnire, Kamaruddin Goodinabali, Shareef Jokatte, Arif Jokatte, Shahul Hameed, Farook Mulki, Ismail Ullal (Real Tech), and Sajid Valavoor, for supporting the campaign over the years.

According to the Forum, one of the key milestones in its advocacy efforts came in February 2024 when a delegation led by Zakaria Jokatte participated in meetings at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru as part of a global Kannadiga delegation representing more than 30 countries. During the visit, the delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister seeking the establishment of a dedicated NRI Secretariat to address the concerns and aspirations of Kannadigas living abroad.

The Forum said its representatives also participated in the Belagavi session in December 2025 as part of a larger international delegation representing Kannadiga communities from over 35 countries, where the demand for institutional representation of NRIs was reiterated.

Describing the Secretariat as more than an administrative initiative, the Forum stated that it would serve as an important bridge between Karnataka and its global diaspora by facilitating engagement with the government, addressing grievances, encouraging investment, and strengthening cultural ties.

“This is not merely the formation of a Secretariat. It is the result of years of hope, perseverance and collective effort by Kannadigas across the world who have remained deeply connected to Karnataka despite living far from home,” Jokatte said.

The Karnataka NRI Forum Saudi Arabia also pledged its full cooperation to the newly formed Secretariat and expressed confidence that it would play a significant role in enhancing the relationship between Karnataka and Kannadiga communities worldwide.

The Karnataka NRI Forum Saudi Arabia is a community organisation representing Kannadigas residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and works on issues related to diaspora welfare, community development and engagement with the Government of Karnataka.