Governor Phil Murphy took a significant step towards strengthening the bonds between New Jersey and India by establishing the New Jersey-India Commission. During the signing of the executive order, Governor Murphy expressed his commitment to fostering enduring cultural and economic connections between the two regions. Present at the ceremony were Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Tahesha Way, Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, and members of the Indian American community.
The creation of the commission, as outlined in an official statement, aims to facilitate bilateral trade and investment and promote economic growth in both New Jersey and India. With a mandate to advise the Governor and various government agencies, the commission, comprising up to 45 members appointed by the Governor, is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing economic cooperation between the two entities.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Pradhan lauded Governor Murphy’s initiative, emphasizing its potential to further enhance the robust economic engagement between New Jersey and India, which already stands at over $10 billion in trade. He also highlighted the significant people-to-people ties, particularly in education and knowledge sharing, that exist between the two regions.
Wesley Mathews, president and CEO of Choose NJ, was appointed as the inaugural chair of the commission. Among the distinguished members of the commission are NJ senators Vin Gopal and Raj Mukherji, Kris Kolluri, CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, Parimal Garg, Chief Counsel at the Office of Governor Phil Murphy, and prominent community activists and attorneys Rajiv and Carrie Parikh.
Chair Mathews expressed excitement about the establishment of the commission, underscoring the shared visions for economic growth and collaboration evident in the multiple economic missions to India since 2019. He highlighted the numerous sister-state relationships and memoranda of understanding signed across various sectors, including higher education, life sciences, and technology.
The Indian immigrant population constitutes a significant portion of New Jersey’s demographic landscape, contributing to its cultural vibrancy and economic vitality. India also holds the position of being the state’s second-largest foreign direct investor. Over the past two decades, India’s investments totaling $2 billion have significantly contributed to job creation, particularly in key sectors such as life sciences and technology, with nearly 6,000 jobs generated as a result.
