S. M. Krishna

**Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna** (1 May 1932 – 10 December 2024) was an Indian politician. He was Minister of External Affairs of India from 2009 to October 2012. He was a member of the Indian Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. Krishna was the 16th Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004 and the 19th  Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008.

Krishna died from a long illness at his home in Bengaluru, India on 10 December 2024, at the age of 92.

## Early Life and Education

Krishna was born in Somanahalli village in the Mandya district of Karnataka, India. He studied at Mysore University and later went to the United States to study law at George Washington University. His education helped him gain knowledge about law, government and international affairs.

## Political Career in Karnataka

Krishna started his political journey with the Indian National Congress party. He served as an MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) in Karnataka several times.

He became the 16th Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004. During his time as CM, he worked to make Bengaluru a global IT hub. He focused on urban development, infrastructure and attracting foreign investment. His leadership was known for being modern and technology-friendly.

## Governor of Maharashtra

After serving in Karnataka, Krishna was appointed the 19th Governor of Maharashtra. He held this position from 2004 to 2008. As Governor, he stayed neutral in state politics and performed duties as a representative of the President of India.

## Minister of External Affairs

In 2009, he became the Minister of External Affairs of India, a top position in the national government. He served until October 2012. During this time, he represented India in many international meetings and built strong ties with countries around the world.

## Infobox (person)

- **embed**: yes
- **honours**: Padma Vibhushan (2023)


## Infobox (officeholder)

- **office**: 27th Minister of External Affairs (India), Minister of External Affairs
- **image**: S M Krishna.jpg
- **image size**: 220px
- **caption**: Krishna in 2009.
- **predecessor**: Pranab Mukherjee
- **primeminister**: Manmohan Singh
- **successor**: Salman Khurshid
- **office2**: 10th List of Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Chief Minister of Karnataka
- **predecessor2**: J. H. Patel
- **party**: Bharatiya Janata Party

- **1blankname1**: Chief Minister
- **1namedata1**: Vilasrao Deshmukh
- **office1**: 18th List of Governors of Maharashtra, Governor of Maharashtra
- **predecessor1**: Mohammed Fazal
- **successor1**: S. C. Jamir
- **successor2**: N. Dharam Singh
- **birth place**: Mandya district, Somanahalli, Kingdom of Mysore, British Raj, British India
(now in Karnataka, India)
- **death place**: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- **spouse**: Prema(1966-2024)
- **alma mater**: University Law College, Bangalore, Mysore University
Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University
George Washington University Law School
- **term start**: 23 May 2009
- **term end**: 28 October 2012
- **term start1**: 12 December 2004
- **term end1**: 5 March 2008
- **term start2**: 11 October 1999
- **term end2**: 28 May 2004
- **constituency3**: Maddur (Vidhana Sabha constituency), Maddur
- **office3**: 1st Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka
- **term start3**: 21 January 1993
- **term end3**: 11 December 1994
- **predecessor3**: _Office Established_
- **successor3**: J. H. Patel
- **3blankname3**: Chief Minister
- **3namedata3**: M. Veerappa Moily
- **office4**: 13th List of Speakers of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly
- **term start4**: 18 December 1989
- **term end4**: 20 January 1993
- **predecessor4**: B. G. Banakar, Janata Party, JP
- **successor4**: V. S. Koujalagi, Indian National Congress, INC
- **relatives**: V. G. Siddhartha