US State Governors and LGs Vouch for Strong Ties with India

A bipartisan group of American state governors and top officials has vouched for strong bilateral ties with India and lobbied for investment from the Indian corporate sector, which they claim not only brings foreign direct investment but also skills and jobs to the US.

Governors Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, along with Lieutenant Governors Garlin Gilchrist of Michigan and Eleni Kounalakis of California, made an aggressive pitch to a group of more than 100 Indian businesses visiting the United States for the annual Select USA Investment Summit in the American Capital.

These top State level elected officials stated at a reception hosted by India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, at the popular India House that Indian businesses add value to their state economy, bring in new skill sets, and most importantly, create highly sought-after jobs.

According to a Confederation of Indian Industries 2020 survey, more than 155 Indian companies have invested USD 22 billion. In reference to the unicorns that appear almost weekly in India, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf told the audience that India is "a dynamic nation, and it's a sleeping giant." The Republican governor expressed pride in having maintained his admiration and friendship with India over the years.