A 22-member delegation from New Jersey, organized by the New Jersey-India Commission (NJIC), embarked on a significant trade mission to India from December 8-16, 2024. The initiative aimed to bolster economic, cultural, and educational connections between New Jersey and India.
Led by Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, the delegation spent nine days visiting five Indian cities to enhance an already strong partnership marked by $10 billion in annual trade and substantial Indian investment in New Jersey. The group included notable figures from business, technology, and public policy, such as Wesley Mathews, CEO of Choose New Jersey; Deelip Mhaske, an entrepreneur and community leader; Vandana Tilak, CEO of Akshaya Patra Foundation USA; Dr. Sudhir Parikh, a Padma Shri awardee and media publisher; and Nisha Desai, director of international trade at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
Highlights of the Trade Mission Across Five Cities
Bengaluru
In Bengaluru, New Jersey’s Department of State signed a sister-state agreement with Karnataka during the TiE Global Summit at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre. This agreement aimed to promote collaboration in technology, innovation, and economic development. Delivering the keynote speech, Lt. Gov. Way emphasized the shared commitment of New Jersey and India to nurturing a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The delegation toured innovation hubs such as C-CAMP and IIIT-Bangalore and met with officials at the Bangalore Bio-Innovation Centre (BBC), a biotech incubator. Visits to the global headquarters of Wipro and Infosys included discussions with top executives, including Infosys co-founder and chairman Nandan Nilekani.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson of Biocon Ltd., met with the delegation to discuss research and development, talent exchange, and future collaborations in biotechnology. A notable outcome was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Choose New Jersey, the Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship (ILSE), and the Association of Biotechnology Lead Enterprises (ABLE), promoting entrepreneurship in life sciences.
Hyderabad
In Hyderabad, a hub of technology in Telangana, the delegation witnessed the renewal of an agreement between T-Hub, India’s leading startup incubator, and the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII). This took place in the presence of Telangana’s Minister of Information, Technology, Electronics, and Communications, Duddilla Sridhar Babu.
At a networking dinner hosted by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), Lt. Gov. Way participated in a fireside chat moderated by NASSCOM president Rajesh Nambiar. Tarun Gupta, director of the New Jersey India Center, outlined New Jersey’s technology opportunities while investors shared their success stories.
The delegation also visited Saint Francis College for Women, an autonomous institution under Osmania University, which focuses on women’s education. A visit to the American Corner in Hyderabad further facilitated cultural exchange and collaboration.
Ahmedabad
In Ahmedabad, the delegation explored the Sabarmati Ashram, Mahatma Gandhi’s residence during India’s nonviolent independence movement. Lt. Gov. Way led discussions with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to enhance economic and cultural exchanges.
The group engaged with Tejinder Oberoi, chairman of the Indian American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) Ahmedabad Chapter, and held meetings with leaders of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India’s first operational smart city. The delegation also visited the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT-GN), a leading engineering institution known for interdisciplinary research.
Amritsar
In Amritsar, Punjab, the delegation met with business leaders from the Punjabi Chamber of Commerce (PCC), headquartered in Edison, New Jersey. This organization plays a vital role in fostering international business connections.
The trip also included visits to the Golden Temple, a spiritual center of Sikhism, and Jallianwala Bagh, a historic site commemorating the lives lost during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in India’s freedom struggle.
New Delhi
In India’s capital, the delegation met with U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti and announced a new academic partnership aimed at strengthening research and technology collaboration between India and New Jersey. They also participated in the South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE) Annual Leadership Summit.
Another significant agreement was signed between the New Jersey Department of State, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and Rowan University to create connections between the technology hubs of India and New Jersey for innovation in emerging technologies.
The delegation concluded their visit with a tour of Jama Masjid, a grand mosque that represents the architectural blend of Persian, Timurid, and Indian styles.
Strengthening Future Ties
Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way remarked during the mission, “The partnership between New Jersey and India is not just about economics but about shared values, culture, and innovation.” By engaging with diverse industries and fostering collaborations, the trade mission strengthened ties between New Jersey and India, paving the way for future cooperation.
