The commission aims to promote cultural and educational exchanges between New Jersey and India and sustainable long-term economic growth.
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Trenton, NJ
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order establishing a commission for India which will be charged with advancing bilateral trade, investment and cultural ties. Soon after signing the executive order, Murphy announced more than 40 members to the New Jersey-India Commission, headed by Wesley Mathews, a former US diplomat.
“I am honored to establish the New Jersey-India Commission to strengthen the cultural and economic ties between New Jersey and India for generations to come,” Murphy said. “Following my visit to India in 2019, we have been committed to strengthening our relationship, building on the overlapping economic strengths that New Jersey and India have long shared,” he added.
“We take immense pride in the contributions of our vast Indian immigrant population and, through this commission, we can ensure that we seize a new century of opportunities to grow together and pioneer new possibilities,” Murphy said.
Consul General of India Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, who was also present on the occasion, said, “Our partnership with New Jersey is unique in several ways. It is a potential story of dynamic convergence and confluence of India’s economic resilience, presence of a highly successful Indian-American community and America’s spirit of innovation, fostering a landscape ripe with opportunities across sectors.”
The New Jersey-India Commission will consist of no less than 35 and no more than 45 members, each appointed by the Governor. India is New Jersey’s second-largest foreign direct investor and the majority of its immigrant population hails from that country. Over the past two decades, India has invested USD2 billion in New Jersey, helping to create nearly 6,000 jobs in key sectors like life sciences and technology.
The commission is expected to provide advice to the Governor as well as to the other New Jersey government agencies and departments.
