Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott delivered a keynote address at the 7th India-U.S. Forum in New Delhi, India, where he championed the strong economic partnership between Texas and India. The event, hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Ananta Centre, brought together business and government leaders from both countries.

During his address, Governor Abbott emphasized the shared values and aspirations of Texas and India, stating, "Texas and India are two places—and two people—who both share an independent streak and a desire to make our mark on the world." He highlighted the critical location of both regions, with India situated near China and Russia, and Texas at the nexus of the United States and Latin America. The Governor emphasized the importance of embracing shared values such as family, faith, compassion, and hard work to ensure liberty and prosperity for future generations.

The Governor also highlighted the growing trade between Texas and India and the significant capital investments made by Indian companies in the state. Over the past decade, Indian companies have invested more than $1.4 billion in capital through 59 projects, creating over 10,300 jobs in Texas. Governor Abbott noted that cities across the state have benefited from these investments. He also mentioned that Texas is home to over 542,000 Indian Americans.

Earlier in the day, Governor Abbott met with the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to discuss further strengthening the economic partnership between Texas and India. The Governor highlighted Texas' robust energy industry and emphasized the need for an all-of-the-above energy strategy to maintain Texas' position as the energy capital of the world. He also explored opportunities for collaboration in the semiconductor and aerospace industries, with Texas being the top state for semiconductor manufacturing in the United States and hosting organizations like NASA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin.

Governor Abbott was accompanied by First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, Executive Director of the Governor's Economic Development & Tourism Office Adriana Cruz, Vice Chair of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Arun Agarwal, and President & CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Aaron Demerson. This economic development mission is the final stop of the Governor's agenda to build the Texas of tomorrow.

India ranks ninth among all nations for the number of foreign direct investment projects in Texas. Over the past decade, Indian companies have invested $1.4 billion in capital through 59 projects, creating more than 10,300 jobs. In 2022, Texas' total trade with India reached $20.4 billion, with Texas exports totaling $13.3 billion. Texas accounts for 28 percent of all U.S. exports to India.

The trip to India is sponsored and funded by the Texas Economic Development Corporation, an independent nonprofit organization responsible for marketing and promoting Texas as a premier business location. Along with the Governor's Economic Development & Tourism Office, these two organizations play a crucial role in Governor Abbott's economic development agenda for the state.

The Governor's visit to India underscores the importance of fostering strong economic partnerships between Texas and countries around the world. By leveraging shared values and opportunities for collaboration, Texas aims to continue its growth and contribute to global prosperity.