In September of 2019, Governor Phil Murphy was the first sitting New Jersey governor to visit India. The mission, coordinated by Choose New Jersey, fostered economic, higher education, and sister-state ties, and secured over 1,200 new jobs by expanding the presence of three Indian companies in New Jersey. This trip will focus on strengthening economic ties with one of New Jersey’s largest trade and investment partners, cultivating international investment opportunities, and deepening cultural and educational ties between New Jersey and India.
“As Secretary of State, I was delighted to welcome the Commission to my department and have been overseeing efforts to strengthen ties between New Jersey and India,” said Lieutenant Governor Way, who oversees the New Jersey-India Commission as part of her portfolio as Secretary of State. “New Jersey’s Indian American population continues to rapidly grow. Through our shared vision, we are committed to maximizing the potential of our relationship.”
“India is one of New Jersey’s most important global partners for economic development, higher education, research collaboration, and cultural exchange. Building on the success of past initiatives, this mission is a pivotal opportunity to deepen our ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies,” said Wesley Mathews, Chair of the New Jersey-India Commission and President and CEO of Choose New Jersey. “By expanding our connections with India across a broad range of areas, we aim to strengthen our economy and showcase the strength of our vibrant Indian-American diaspora.”
“India remains one of New Jersey’s key global partners, and with one of the largest Indian diasporas in the nation, we must continue to strengthen our partnership,” said New Jersey-India Commission Executive Director Rajpal Bath. “Following Governor Murphy’s mission, and extensive outreach in the years since, we will continue to grow the relationship through the Commission.”
The delegation’s activities and public events will include meetings with key government and industry leaders including higher education, life science, and technology representatives. New Jersey maintains very close ties with India culturally and economically, as India is New Jersey’s second largest foreign direct investor and Indian-Americans represent the largest group of foreign-born residents in New Jersey.
Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver recently led the inaugural New Jersey-India Commission trip to India, marking a significant milestone in the relationship between the two regions. The purpose of the trip was to strengthen economic and cultural ties between New Jersey and India, as well as to explore opportunities for collaboration in various sectors.
The delegation, which included government officials, business leaders, and representatives from various industries, visited several cities in India, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. During the trip, they met with government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
One of the key areas of focus during the trip was the technology sector. India is known for its thriving tech industry, and New Jersey is home to many tech companies as well. The delegation explored opportunities for collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and e-commerce.
In addition to the technology sector, the delegation also discussed opportunities for collaboration in other industries, such as healthcare, education, and renewable energy. The goal is to foster mutually beneficial partnerships that will create jobs and drive economic growth in both regions.
Overall, the inaugural New Jersey-India Commission trip was a success, with both sides expressing optimism about the potential for increased collaboration in the future. Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with international partners and leveraging those relationships to create opportunities for economic growth and development.
The trip to India was just the beginning of what promises to be a fruitful partnership between New Jersey and India. As both regions continue to grow and evolve, there will be ample opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit. The inaugural trip set the stage for future cooperation and laid the foundation for a strong and enduring relationship between New Jersey and India.