Hartford, Conn., July 30, 2026 – In a landmark move aimed at strengthening economic, educational, technological, and cultural ties between Connecticut and India, Governor Ned Lamont officially signed legislation establishing the Connecticut-India Trade Commission at a ceremony held in the State Capitol in Hartford.
Attended by elected officials, diplomats, business executives, community advocates, and civic leaders from across Connecticut, the historic July 30, 2026, ceremony marked the official launch of the Connecticut-India Trade Commission. The landmark initiative establishes a formal framework to strengthen trade, investment, innovation, academic collaboration, and institutional partnerships between Connecticut and India, one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, opening a new chapter in economic and cultural cooperation between the two regions.
The creation of the commission follows years of growing engagement between Connecticut and India. The new body was established under Public Act 26-78 and will bring together legislators, higher education representatives, business leaders, and members of the Indian American community to develop long-term partnerships in commerce, technology, education, infrastructure, and the arts.
Governor Lamont Emphasizes Shared Values and Economic Opportunity
Governor Lamont positioned the commission as more than simply a trade initiative. Speaking at the bill-signing ceremony, he reflected on the deep historical and cultural ties between India and the United States.
“The relationship between India and the United States is much more than commercial,” Lamont said. “We both fled colonialism to become the largest democracies on the planet Earth.”
Focusing on how the US remains a strong and vibrant nation by welcoming the brightest from around the world, Gov. Lamont said, “One of our greatest strengths as a country is that we welcome people from around the world, and I want you to feel at home here. And I think we’re a much stronger state for having each and every one of you here calling Connecticut home.”
Lamont highlighted his February 2025 economic development mission to India, during which he led a delegation of Connecticut officials, business executives, and academic leaders to Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. The trip was designed to attract investment, strengthen existing partnerships, and showcase Connecticut as a destination for Indian businesses looking to expand in North America. “It’s not only the cultural ties, but that sense of entrepreneurship and optimism, which I think our two countries share.”
According to Lamont, the experience reinforced the natural alignment between Connecticut and India. “The degree to which this trade commission can enhance those ties, cultural ties, academic ties, commercial ties, bring our two countries together, will be a better world for it.”
His remarks underscored a broader vision of globalization rooted in talent, innovation, and mutual respect rather than commerce alone.
Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz Highlights Economic Benefits
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz focused on the commission’s potential economic impact. She noted that Connecticut’s strong export economy and globally connected workforce make international partnerships essential for future growth.
“This trade commission, in addition to our existing international trade commissions, tells the world that Connecticut is open to new and innovative partnerships
Bysiewicz pointed to figures from AdvanceCT showing that international companies employ more than 115,000 Connecticut residents across over 800 companies statewide. She argued that expanding commercial relationships with Indian firms could generate jobs, investment, and long-term economic activity.
Her message reflected Connecticut’s broader strategy of attracting foreign investment while leveraging the state’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, bioscience, aerospace, and technology.
Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox Connects Policy to Community
Among the most significant speakers was State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, the first Indian-American senator in Connecticut history. Her speech blended personal experience with public policy, emphasizing both the economic and cultural significance of the commission.
“I am here today not just as the Senator from the 22nd District, but as the child of Indian immigrants and the first Indian Senator ever to serve in Connecticut.”
Gadkar-Wilcox described the legislation as a recognition of decades of contributions made by Indian-Americans across Connecticut’s business, educational, healthcare, legal, and civic sectors. She stressed that the commission would create structured opportunities for collaboration in aerospace, manufacturing, biotechnology, green energy, and higher education.
“These new opportunities come at the heels of a long history of South Asian engagement in Connecticut. From the establishment of cultural organizations that helped empower local communities, like GOPIO in Stamford founded by Dr. Thomas Abraham 20 years ago, and Milan in the Greater Hartford area, founded by Suresh Sharma, to the Indian Cultural Center in Greenwich,” the senator pointed out.
Perhaps her most important observation was that the legislation goes beyond economics: “Senate Bill 132 is more than a trade policy; it is a recognition of deep cultural, educational, social, and business ties between the United States and India.”
She cited demographic trends that make the initiative particularly relevant. Connecticut is home to more than 68,000 residents of Indian origin, making Indian-Americans the state’s largest Asian-American ethnic community. Indians also represent the second-largest foreign-born population in Connecticut, she said.
Gadkar-Wilcox highlighted as to how Connecticut’s growing South Asian visibility is strengthened by a wide ecosystem of leaders, businesses, and institutions. Long‑standing companies such as Infosys and Kubtec, along with major influence in sectors like beverage, hospitality, technology, and finance, have elevated the profile of South Asian entrepreneurship. National figures like Indra Nooyi helped establish a global reputation for South Asian leadership, while members of the Asian Legislative Caucus — including Senators Saud Anwar and MD Rahman, and Representatives Khan and Allie‑Brennan — bring representation to policymaking. Local leaders such as Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and Mayor Singh reinforce that visibility at the community level through municipal governance. In the legal field, the South Asian Bar Association has created space for collective advocacy and strengthened the contributions of South Asian attorneys across the state, she said.
Ambassador Pradhan Sees Strategic Potential
India’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, described the commission as a major milestone in state-level diplomacy and economic cooperation.
“It’s truly, truly a historic moment,” Pradhan said. “Creation of Connecticut India Trade Commission was already overdue.”
The ambassador credited Governor Lamont’s 2025 visit to India with giving the relationship “new momentum.” He pointed to opportunities in advanced manufacturing, information technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, clean energy, higher education, and innovation.
Pradhan placed the initiative within the context of the broader U.S.-India relationship, noting that the United States remains India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at approximately $240 billion and ambitions to reach $500 billion by 2030.
He also pledged support from the Indian Consulate: “The consulate would work together with the commission to make your vision a reality.”
Representative Stephen Meskers
Speaking on behalf of himself and Commerce Committee Co-Chair Senator Joan Hartley, Representative Stephen Meskers emphasized the vital contributions of Connecticut’s Indian-American community to the state’s social and economic fabric. “I know the contributions intimately of the Indian community… my exposure to the community and their contributions to our society are incredible,” he said.
Drawing on his own immigrant family heritage, he recognized the sacrifices immigrants make and praised the impact of Indian professionals, entrepreneurs, and community members across Fairfield County and beyond. Meskers expressed appreciation that Connecticut was chosen to launch this partnership and pledged the Commerce Committee’s full support for the Connecticut-India Trade Commission. He voiced confidence that the commission would foster cultural and economic exchanges and inspire future legislation that strengthens ties and creates lasting opportunities between Connecticut and India.
Business Leaders Illustrate Real-World Success
The event also featured testimony from Stratford-based entrepreneurs Vikram and Preeti Butani, whose medical technology company Kubtec demonstrates the value of Connecticut-India business connections.
Vikram Butani explained how the company grew from a startup operating in a spare bedroom to a global healthcare technology leader serving hospitals in 40 countries. He noted that Kubtec established a presence in India three years ago and continues to expand internationally.
“We hope it will help us and other businesses like us to grow and build a relationship between Connecticut and India.” [Governor L…ssion Bill | Word]
Their story provided a practical example of the opportunities the commission seeks to create for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in both regions.
A Long-Term Framework for Collaboration
The Connecticut-India Trade Commission will consist of legislative appointees, gubernatorial appointees, higher education representatives, chamber of commerce members, and Indian-American community leaders. The commission will promote business and academic exchanges, encourage investment, identify policy opportunities, and recommend future legislative initiatives. Annual reports to the governor and state officials will begin in 2028.
Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO International, a key supporter of legislation who helped in organizing the event, said, “As Connecticut joins a growing number of states pursuing formal partnerships with India, the July 30 signing ceremony represented more than a legislative achievement. It reflected the growing importance of India in Connecticut’s economic future and acknowledged the contributions of a vibrant Indian-American community that continues to shape the state’s social, educational, and business landscape.” In Governor Lamont’s view, the commission’s success will ultimately be measured not only by trade figures but by the strength of the relationships it creates. If the enthusiasm displayed by public officials, diplomats, and business leaders at the Capitol is any indication, Connecticut’s partnership with India has entered a significant new chapter.
