World-Europe Munich: Bangalore, the silicon valley of the East, is fast becoming a household name in information technology all over the world.

President of Bavaria state Dr Edmund Stoiber said, "Bangalore is nowadays one of the world's leading software producers."

Vajpayee said, "India would be keenly interested in developing institutional linkages with Bavaria, which could upgrade the industrial and technological skills in our own polytechnics and universities."

He said Indian cities of Hyderabad, Bangalore and Delhi are also developing useful e-governance systems. "There may be mutual advantages in sharing experiences. I have proposed a partnership between Bavaria and one of our cities in the entire range of the knowledge trade," suggested Vajpayee.

Bavaria, one of the most industrially advanced states in Germany, is seeking greater interaction with India, especially in IT and service sectors. Trade between India and Bavaria is currently around 500 million Euros, only 11 per cent of our exports to Germany. Imports from India are dominated by traditional items such as textiles and manufactured items.

ANI