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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                               AUGUST 07, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 16

                                       Connecticut and India Forge

               a New Partnership as Governor Lamont Signs

                     Connecticut-India Trade Commission Bill

                                                                                                                  that Connecticut is open to new and
            OUR BUREAU                                                                                            innovative partnerships
                                                                                                                     Among  the  most  significant
            Hartford, CT
                                                                                                                  speakers was State Senator Suja-
                n  a landmark move  aimed at                                                                      ta  Gadkar-Wilcox,  the  first  Indi-
                strengthening economic, educa-                                                                    an-American senator in Connecticut
            Itional, technological, and cultur-                                                                   history. Her speech blended personal
            al ties between  Connecticut and  In-                                                                 experience with public policy, empha-
            dia, Governor Ned Lamont officially                                                                   sizing both the economic and cultural
            signed legislation establishing the                                                                   significance of the commission.
            Connecticut-India Trade Commis-                                                                          “I am here today not just as the
            sion at a ceremony held in the State                                                                  Senator from the 22nd District, but
            Capitol in Hartford.                                                                                  as the child of Indian immigrants and
                Attended by elected officials, dip-                                                               the first Indian Senator ever to serve
            lomats,  business  executives, commu-                                                                 in Connecticut.”
            nity advocates, and civic leaders from                                                                    Speaking on behalf of himself
            across Connecticut, the historic July        Governor Lamont Signs Connecticut-India Trade Commission Bill  and Commerce Committee Co-Chair
            30,  2026  ceremony  marked  the  offi-                                                               Senator Joan Hartley, Representa-
            cial launch of the Connecticut-India                                                                  tive Stephen Meskers emphasized the
            Trade Commission. The landmark                                                                        vital contributions of Connecticut’s
            initiative establishes a formal frame-                                                                Indian-American community to the
            work to strengthen trade, investment,                                                                 state’s social and economic fabric. “I
            innovation, academic collaboration,                                                                   know the contributions intimately of
            and institutional  partnerships be-                                                                   the Indian community... my exposure
            tween Connecticut and India, one                                                                      to the community and their contribu-
            of the world’s fastest-growing major                                                                  tions to our society are incredible,” he
            economies, opening a new chapter in                                                                   said.
            economic  and  cultural  cooperation                                                                      Drawing on his own immigrant
            between the two regions.                                                                              family heritage, he recognized the
                The creation of the commission                                                                    sacrifices  immigrants  make  and
            follows years of growing engagement                                                                   praised the impact of Indian profes-
            between Connecticut and India. The                                                                    sionals,  entrepreneurs,  and  commu-
            new body was established under Pub-                                                                   nity  members  across  Fairfield  Coun-
            lic Act 26-78 and will bring together   State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, the   GOPIO’s Thomas Abraham    ty and beyond. Meskers expressed
            legislators, higher education rep-  first Indian-American senator in Connecticut   speaking at the ceremony   appreciation that Connecticut was
            resentatives, business leaders, and                                                                   chosen to launch this partnership and
            members of the Indian-American          history, speaking at the event                                pledged the Commerce Committee’s
            community to develop long-term part-                                ence reinforced the natural alignment   full support for the Connecticut-India
            nerships in commerce, technology,  home here. And I think we’re a much   between Connecticut and India. “The   Trade  Commission.  He  voiced  confi-
            education, infrastructure, and the arts.  stronger state for having each and ev- degree to which this trade commis-  dence that the commission would fos-
                Governor  Lamont  positioned   ery one of you here calling Connecti-  sion can enhance those ties, cultural   ter cultural and economic exchanges
            the commission as more than sim-  cut home.”                        ties, academic ties, commercial ties,   and inspire future legislation that
            ply a trade initiative. Speaking at the   Lamont highlighted his February  bring our two countries together, will   strengthens ties and creates lasting
            bill-signing ceremony, he reflected on  2025 economic development mission   be a better world for it.”   opportunities between Connecticut
            the deep historical and cultural ties   to India, during which he led a dele-  His  remarks underscored  a   and India.
            between India and the United States.  gation  of  Connecticut  officials,  busi- broader vision of globalization root-  The Connecticut-India Trade
               “The  relationship  between  India   ness executives, and academic leaders   ed in talent, innovation, and mutual   Commission will consist of legislative
            and the United States is much more   to Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mum- respect rather than commerce alone.  appointees, gubernatorial appointees,
            than commercial,” Lamont said. “We   bai. The trip was designed to attract   Lieutenant  Governor  Susan  higher education representatives,
            both fled colonialism to become the   investment, strengthen existing part-  Bysiewicz focused on the commis-  chamber of commerce members, and
            largest democracies on the planet  nerships, and showcase Connecticut   sion’s potential economic impact. She   Indian-American community lead-
            Earth.”  Focusing on how the US re- as a destination for Indian businesses   noted that Connecticut’s strong ex-  ers. The commission will promote
            mains a strong and vibrant nation by  looking to expand in North America.  port economy and globally connected   business and academic exchanges,
            welcoming the brightest from around  “It’s not only the cultural ties, but that  workforce make international part-  encourage investment, identify pol-
            the world, Gov. Lamont said, “One of   sense  of  entrepreneurship  and  opti- nerships essential for future growth.  icy opportunities, and recommend
            our greatest strengths as a country is   mism, which I think our two countries   “This trade commission, in ad-  future legislative initiatives. Annual
            that we welcome people from around   share.”                        dition to our existing international   reports to the governor and state of-
            the world, and I want you to feel at   According to Lamont, the experi- trade commissions, tells the world   ficials will begin in 2028.

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