India-New Jersey Bilateral Commission Sets Stage for Cultural and Economic Collaboration

In a significant move to foster economic collaboration and strengthen cultural ties, US state of New Jersey’s Governor Phil Murphy has announced the establishment of the New Jersey-India Commission. India holds a unique position as New Jersey’s second-largest foreign direct investor, and the majority of the state’s immigrant population comes from India.

The commission will be headed by Wes Mathews, the CEO of Choose New Jersey, as chairperson. It will consist of 39 leaders from business, technology, and politics and aims to advance bilateral trade and investment, encourage economic development, and promote cultural and educational exchanges between the two regions. Governor Murphy, reflecting on the decision, stated, “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.”

The move follows the Governor’s visit to India in 2019, emphasising the commitment to build on the overlapping economic strengths shared by New Jersey and India. The relationship between New Jersey and India has been apparent from a population perspective for years. The business relationship, however, has picked up considerably since Murphy took office in 2018. Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Tahesha Way expressed her enthusiasm for overseeing the commission’s work, emphasising the deep-rooted economic, cultural, and societal ties between the two regions.

The establishment of the commission is expected to create further opportunities for collaboration, acknowledging the enriching contributions of New Jersey’s Indian population. The economic mission trip led by Governor Murphy in 2019 resulted in over 1,200 new jobs and expanded the presence of three Indian companies in New Jersey. Over the past two decades, India has invested $2 billion in the state, contributing to the creation of nearly 6,000 jobs in sectors like life sciences and technology.

Consul General of India Binaya Srikanta Pradhan highlighted the potential of the partnership, stating that New Jersey-India Commission would add strength to already existing high level of economic engagement in terms of over $10 billion trade with New Jersey. He said, “This would also give a boost to the strong people-to-people connect that exists between India and New Jersey including in areas of education and knowledge partnership.”

The newly established New Jersey-India Commission, chaired by Wesley Mathews, is set to consist of no less than 35 and no more than 45 members, each appointed by the Governor. The commission is expected to provide valuable advice to the Governor and other New Jersey government agencies and departments. Wesley Mathews, Chair of the Commission, emphasised the shared visions for economies and peoples, citing the multiple economic missions to India since 2019 and the established sister-state relationships and MOUs across various sectors.

According to a report by the Confederation of Indian Industries, CII, over 160 Indian companies are present throughout all 50 US states and have collectively generated over $40 billion in tangible investments in the US. Together, they have created or saved over 425,000 jobs in the US. The top 3 states benefiting from jobs created by Indian companies are Texas (20,906 jobs), New York (19,162 jobs) and New Jersey (17,713 jobs). The impact of the New Jersey-India Commission is not limited to economic growth but extends to the Indian community in the United States and New Jersey.

With New Jersey hosting the largest number of Indian-American community members, the commission’s initiatives are expected to enhance cultural understanding, education, and knowledge partnerships. The bilateral trade of about US$11 billion between India and New Jersey is poised for further growth, opening avenues for collaborative ventures and reinforcing the strong people-to-people connection.