Bengaluru, Aug. 19 -- Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambition of turning India into an economic powerhouse could be achieved only if the southern states remained united, given their "extraordinary" talent and potential.

Speaking in the legislative assembly after the unanimous election of former minister Mankal Vaidya as deputy speaker, Shivakumar said he had briefed Modi during his recent visit to Mysuru on Karnataka's interests, historical developments and the strength of its local talent pool. His remarks came ahead of Union home minister Amit Shah's proposed meeting of southern states in Chennai on August 20, which Shivakumar confirmed he would attend.

Striking a conciliatory not...