Photo credit: Phil Murphy/CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr |
TRENTON - NJ Governor Phil Murphy Strengthens Ties with India: Signs Executive Order Establishing New Jersey-India Commission
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy took a significant step towards fostering stronger cultural and economic ties with India by signing an executive order to establish the New Jersey-India Commission. The announcement was made during a press conference where Governor Murphy addressed two distinct but impactful topics - the solemn lowering of flags in honor of Sergeant William Rivers, a local hero, and the exciting news of New Jersey hosting the final match of the 2026 World Cup. Amidst these updates, Governor Murphy highlighted the historic moment of marking a new chapter in the friendship between New Jersey and the Republic of India.
Honoring Sergeant William Rivers:
The Governor commenced the conference by expressing condolences to the family of Sergeant William Rivers, a native of Willingboro and a member of the US Army Reserve, who lost his life in action in Jordan. Governor Murphy emphasized the significance of recognizing the sacrifices made by the nation's heroes, especially as New Jersey's National Guard prepares to deploy to the Middle East and Gulf region.
Celebrating the 2026 World Cup:
Governor Murphy transitioned to a lighter note by celebrating the news that New Jersey had been awarded the final match of the 2026 World Cup. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts that led to this achievement and expressed optimism for the tournament's success, extending a special hope for the Indian national team's qualification.
The New Jersey-India Commission: A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations:
The focal point of the conference was the establishment of the New Jersey-India Commission. Governor Murphy reflected on the deep and longstanding ties between New Jersey and India, citing the significant Indian population in the state and the robust economic partnership. He recounted a pivotal economic mission to India in 2019, where new partnerships were formed, leading to the creation of over 1,200 jobs in New Jersey.
Acknowledging Key Figures:
Governor Murphy took a moment to acknowledge key figures present at the conference, including Lieutenant Governor Tahisha Way, the Council General of India, Baya SRI praan, and Wes Matthews, who was announced as the chair of the New Jersey India Commission. The Governor expressed gratitude to the leaders who played a role in making the commission a reality.
Promoting Economic Growth and Cultural Exchange:
Governor Murphy emphasized the potential for mutual economic growth between New Jersey and India, noting their shared strengths in industries such as life sciences, film, television, and technology. He highlighted the $2 billion investment from Indian companies in the past two decades, resulting in the creation of thousands of jobs in the state.
New Jersey: A Home for Indian-Americans:
Reflecting on the thriving Indian-American community in New Jersey, Governor Murphy shared anecdotes from areas like Oak Tree Road in Edison and Newark Avenue in Jersey City. These anecdotes illustrated the state's commitment to providing a home for every entrepreneur and immigrant, embodying the essence of the American Dream.
Closing Thoughts:
Governor Murphy concluded the conference by expressing his gratitude to everyone involved and recognizing the significance of the New Jersey India Commission, which joins the ranks of other international commissions in the state. As a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations, the commission aims to propel New Jersey and India into a new century of growth, collaboration, and endless possibilities.
The New Jersey-India Commission will consist of no less than 35 and no more than 45 members, each appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall select one Chairperson from the appointees to lead. The commission is expected to provide advice to the Governor, as well as to the other New Jersey government agencies and departments.
Governor Murphy has appointed the following to the commission:
- Dini Ajmani
- Natasha Alagarasan
- Sri Atluri
- Snehal Batra
- Coleen Burrus
- Ravi Dattatreya
- Kirti Desai
- Parimal Garg
- Vin Gopal
- Balpreet Grewal-Virk
- Kiran Handa Gaudisoso
- Pavita Howe
- Jaime Jacob
- Monica Jain
- Gurbir Johal
- Suchitra Kamath
- Krishna Kishore
- Vidya Kishore
- Kris Kolluri
- Indu Lew
- Jose Lozano
- Wesley Matthews
- Anjali Mehrotra
- Deelip Mhaske
- Raj Mukherji
- Suresh Muthuswami
- Srinivas Pallia
- Anand Paluri
- Falguni Pandya
- Carrie Parikh
- Rajiv Parikh
- Gurpreet Pasricha
- Deepak Raj
- Jatin Shah
- Huzaifa Shakir
- Sterley Stanley
- Ragy Thomas
- Steven Van Kuiken
- Christina Zuk
For a copy of Executive Order No. 354, click here
FULL VIDEO: Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Establishing the New Jersey-India Commission on Feb. 6, 2024.
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