SEATTLE, Wash. (Diya TV) — Investment opportunities across artificial intelligence, healthcare, ag-tech and emerging technologies took center stage in Seattle this week as business leaders from the U.S. Pacific Northwest and India gathered to deepen economic ties ahead of Washington state’s largest-ever trade mission to India.
The Consulate General of India in Seattle hosted the second edition of the Invest India Business Forum on Saturday at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center, in partnership with the Montana World Affairs Council and global technology firm ZOHO, according to a statement from the consulate. The forum brought together CEOs, senior executives and policymakers to examine India’s growing role as an investment and innovation hub.
Senior representatives from major multinational companies based in the Greater Seattle area — including Microsoft, Amazon, Salesforce and T-Mobile — attended alongside local government officials and trade leaders. Industry experts delivered presentations highlighting India’s progress and investment potential in fields such as artificial intelligence, photonics, quantum computing, healthcare, ag-tech and higher education, the consulate said.
Organizers positioned the forum as a springboard for deeper commercial engagement. As a direct follow-up, Greater Seattle Partners (GSP), together with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, will lead Washington state’s largest trade delegation ever to India from Jan. 28 to Feb. 7, 2026. The delegation will include more than 30 participants representing the Port of Seattle, the City of Bellevue’s economic development office, the mayor of Redmond and senior leadership from Microsoft, Amazon and Boeing, according to the consulate release.
Rebecca Lovell, interim president and CEO of GSP, told attendees she sees significant opportunity to expand two-way investment and business collaboration between Seattle and India, particularly in technology-driven sectors.
Healthcare emerged as a key area of shared interest. Eric Wexler, CEO of Providence, pointed to India’s expanding healthcare and digital health ecosystem while highlighting Providence’s recently inaugurated Global Capability Center in Hyderabad. The center is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and will focus on developing AI-enabled advanced healthcare technology solutions by tapping into India’s skilled talent pool, the consulate said.
Technology self-reliance and data sovereignty were also part of the discussion. A ZOHO representative showcased how AI-driven, locally developed data models are being deployed in India as part of the country’s push for digital self-reliance, known as Atmanirbhar Bharat. The Government of India’s recent adoption of Zoho’s office suite and other technology solutions sends a positive signal to domestic startups and the broader tech ecosystem, according to the forum organizers.
Beyond investment pitches, the event doubled as a showcase for Indian export-ready products with growing appeal in the U.S. market. Attendees sampled premium “Bhagwa” variety pomegranates, which are grown primarily in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka and are known for their deep red color, rich flavor and high nutritional value. Indian pomegranates gained U.S. market access in 2023, fueling increased demand, and the fruit is expected to reach Pacific Northwest retail stores soon, the consulate said.
Other products on display included cultural heritage items from India’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, Araku coffee from the Eastern Ghats of southern India, and a selection of Indian wines and handcrafted spirits.
The forum also drew a sizable delegation from the Montana World Affairs Council, underscoring growing interest beyond Washington state. A youth delegation organized by the council recently visited India, and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte hosted a welcome reception for them at the state Capitol in Helena, according to the organizers.
Overall, the Invest India Business Forum aimed to strengthen economic ties between India and the U.S. Pacific Northwest by spotlighting priority investment sectors while promoting Indian exports and industry linkages. The event aligns with the Indian Consulate’s broader strategy to advance what it calls the “3Ts” — Trade, Tourism and Technology — through sustained engagement with regional partners, the consulate said.
