TRENTON, N.J. (Diya TV) — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s economic mission to India has achieved a major milestone with the signing of a Sister State Agreement with Karnataka. The agreement aims to boost collaboration in technology, research, and entrepreneurship. The mission also included multiple university and business agreements, opening new opportunities for startups, higher education, and healthcare partnerships between New Jersey and India.
The six-day visit, which began Sept. 20 in New Delhi, marks Murphy’s first return to India since his 2019 economic mission. He traveled with First Lady Tammy Murphy and a delegation representing New Jersey’s business and academic institutions. The trip, organized by Choose New Jersey, covers four cities and includes meetings with government officials, university leaders, and industry executives.
Murphy opened the visit at the Public Affairs Forum of India’s 12th Annual Forum in New Delhi. He participated in a fireside chat moderated by Sukumar Ranganthan, editor of the Hindustan Times, discussing how state leadership can shape economic opportunities. The session brought together policymakers and business leaders from both countries.
During the New Delhi leg, Murphy’s delegation signed two key Memoranda of Understanding. Rutgers University’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School partnered with the Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research to collaborate on cardiovascular medicine, digital health, and clinical trials. Montclair State University signed an agreement with the Association of Indian Universities to promote academic and cultural exchanges for students.
Murphy also joined a roundtable hosted by the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council of India. Over 15 companies attended to explore international expansion opportunities in IT and software services. New Jersey officials highlighted the state’s tech ecosystem and incentives for global businesses.
First Lady Tammy Murphy focused on healthcare and social initiatives during the mission. She visited Crysta IVF, discussing reproductive health advancements, and met with Courtney Deacon Lalotra, founder of One Life to Love, which supports abandoned and special-needs children. The First Lady presented a gift recognizing Lalotra’s work, which has earned recognition in both India and New Jersey.
The delegation also attended a reception hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, discussing foreign direct investment and business collaboration. A separate session with the US-India Business Council and the Confederation of Indian Industry emphasized New Jersey’s higher education strengths.
Murphy’s team toured the HCLTech campus, meeting Chairperson Roshni Nadar and COO Rahul Singh to discuss HCLTech’s operations in New Jersey and plans for expansion. The mission then moved to Kochi and Bengaluru, where the Governor announced the landmark Sister State Agreement with Karnataka. Signed by Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, the agreement aims to strengthen partnerships in technology, research, and entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for startups in both regions.
In Kochi, Murphy attended a dinner hosted by LuLu Group International Chairman M. A. Yusuff Ali and engaged with the Kerala Startup Mission to discuss entrepreneurship and higher education collaborations. The delegation also visited Fab Lab Kerala, a joint project involving MIT and Makers Village.
In Bengaluru, the Governor and delegation signed seven new MOUs between New Jersey and Indian institutions, including Rutgers University, NJIT, and Rowan University. These agreements cover biotechnology, medical sciences, and other research areas. Murphy said the partnerships will advance research and innovation while building lasting academic ties.
Murphy also addressed a Blume Ventures conference on the “India-U.S. Innovation Corridor,” highlighting startup opportunities in both countries. At Christ University, Murphy and the First Lady participated in a town hall with more than 250 students on youth roles in global education and entrepreneurship.
Murphy reflected on the mission, saying, “The India-New Jersey partnership is growing and getting stronger, and we’re proud to play a small role in it.”
